Nigeria: Militant Groups May Launch Joint Attacks - U.S. Officer

Stratfor

17 August 2011

   

Nigerian Islamist militant group Boko Haram could be trying to link with al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and Somali Islamist group al Shabaab to mount joint attacks in Nigeria, the U.S. commander in Africa, Gen. Carter Ham, said Aug. 17, AP reported. Ham said sources indicate that Boko Haram has reached out to the other groups but there is nothing to suggest that the groups plan to attack U.S. or Western interests in Nigeria. Ham said Boko Haram could be splitting into two sections, one focused on domestic issues and the other on “violent international extremism.” Ham said he is most concerned by the synchronization of Boko Haram and AQIM’s efforts. It is not evident whether the groups are able to do that just yet but it’s clear they have the desire to do that, Ham added.