Multinational Coalition Begins Military Offensive to Finally Destroy Boko Haram

A regional military coalition has begun an offensive to try and take control of the last bits of territory controlled by the militant group Boko Haram.

Reuters reports that the offensive will focus on the Sambisa forest which has been the groups base of operations because of its dense forest terrain, which makes it difficult to monitor and attack.

The operation in Sambisa comes after years of fighting between the Nigerian government and the group. The Nigerian forces have had their work made easier because its neighbors Chad, Cameroon, and Niger have also carried out military operations against the group.

Troops from Chad and Cameroon will also participate in the Sambisa offensive, attacking the forest from the Cameroonian side of the border. 

The Sambisa forest is approximately 60 miles from the village of Chibok, which became internationally known after Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 girls from the town as they sat for their final exams. The incident triggered a wave of international support and outpouring under the banner of #BringBackOurGirls, which earned the support of high profile celebrities and politicians.

It is believed that many of the girls have been kept in the forest. It is also possible that Boko Haram will try to use the girls as human shields against air strikes.

After gaining control of territory roughly the size of Belgium, Boko Haram has suffered a string of military defeats, greatly reducing the territory they control. Although the group has lost territory, it is still able to terrorize Nigerian civilians through kidnappings, shootings, and random killings.

Should the operation succeed, it will be a good start for the newly elected Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, who won the election largely because of his predecessors failure in dealing with Boko Haram.