“Deadly Clash in Borno: ISWAP vs JAS Leaves 50+ Dead”

A fierce confrontation between the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda’Awati Wal-Jihad (JAS) erupted in the early hours of January 20, near Kachalla Kellori village in Borno State. The violent clash saw over 50 JAS fighters lose their lives, with ISWAP forces delivering a crushing blow to their rivals.

The battle began when ISWAP launched a surprise assault on JAS positions. The attack was swift and overwhelming, forcing the JAS fighters to retreat in a disorganized flight toward Gashigar. As they fled, ISWAP forces gave chase, capturing many of the escaping fighters. Some JAS members sought refuge in abandoned villages scattered throughout the region, but their escape was short-lived.

In an act of defiance, JAS mounted a counter-assault on the night of January 21. They targeted ISWAP forces in Maleri Zoriaya village, just two kilometers southeast of Kachalla Kellori. The attack, however, failed to break the ISWAP stronghold, and the growing rivalry between the two groups only intensified.

This ongoing conflict is not just about territorial control but also the lucrative smuggling routes that crisscross the Lake Chad Region Basin Area. The fight for dominance over key routes from Geidam to Diffa (Niger) has become a battleground for control and survival, fueling the violence and heightening tensions in the region.