ISIS Accepts Boko Haram’s Pledge of Allegiance

By Ashwin Subramania - 13 Mar '15 16:20PM

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has welcomed the pledge of allegiance made to it by Nigeria's militant outfit Boko Haram.

Boko Haram launched a military campaign in 2009 in an effort to enforce Islamic rule in West Africa. The 6 year insurgency has so far claimed more than 13,000 lives leaving more than 1.5 million people homeless.

Spokesperson for Islamic State, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani spoke of Boko Haram's pledge of in a voice recording, "We announce to you to the good news of the expansion of the caliphate to West Africa because the caliph... has accepted the allegiance of our brothers of the Sunni group for preaching and the jihad."

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan had earlier this week told Voice of American that fighters from Boko Haram were being sent to ISIS camps for training.

However the terror group from the Middle East is struggling to fend off Iraqi forces supported by US-led coalition air strikes and are looking to recapture Tikrit.

Boko Haram is also currently facing stiff resistance from multinational forces which have been successful in removing their presence from several north eastern towns in Nigeria.

Boko Haram's leader Abubakar Shekau pledged allegiance to IS when a recording was posted online on Saturday.

The message said, "We announce our allegiance to the Caliph of the Muslims ... and will hear and obey in times of difficulty and prosperity, in hardship and ease, and to endure being discriminated against, and not to dispute about rule with those in power, except in case of evident infidelity regarding that which there is a proof from Allah."