Boko Haram crisis: Nigeria begins Sambisa ground offensive

[EC]

Nigerian ground troops have joined an offensive on the last known hideout of the Boko Haram Islamist militants, a military spokesman has told the BBC.

The vast north-eastern Sambisa forest is where they have many bases - and it has been subject to aerial bombardments since February.

There has been speculation that some of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapped more than a year ago are being held there.

Boko Haram has killed thousands in northern Nigeria since 2009.

Nigeria's military, backed by troops from neighbouring countries, launched an offensive against Boko Haram in February - and has recaptured most of the territory the militants had taken in the previous year.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-32416155

[alicewonders]

Last I heard, Boko Haram has joined ISIS.  Have they been weakened down to having to pledge allegiance to ISIS to gain strength again?

[EC]

It's honestly hard to tell. Boko Haram are patient, above all else - remember that their core hid out for 20-odd years after Rwanda before resurfacing again in Nigeria.

Allying with ISIL could have been a fear tactic, could be genuine or it could be, as you say, a result of weakness.