Military Jets Bomb ISWAP Camp, Injure Leader ‘Abu Moussab Al-Barnawi’ in Sambisa
The Nigerian military has dealt another significant blow to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), following a precision airstrike that destroyed a newly established terrorist base in Baikee Forest, located in the Sambisa axis of Gwoza Local Government Area, Borno State.
The coordinated air interdiction mission, carried out on June 13, 2025, was part of the ongoing Operation KALACHEN WUTA under the North East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai. The strike targeted ISWAP fighters who had converged within the forested corridor spanning Izge–Pridang–Baikee, where they were reportedly fortifying a new camp and plotting attacks on civilian settlements, including Izge town.
Military intelligence sources disclosed that the operation was supervised by the Theatre Commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, and executed by the Air Component Commander, Air Commodore UU Idris, in successive aerial waves. The airstrikes delivered direct hits on terrorist gatherings, decimating their logistical supply lines and eliminating several high-profile ISWAP commanders.
A Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted in the aftermath of the strikes confirmed that the terrorists suffered severe casualties and equipment losses.
Of particular note, Abu Moussab al-Barnawi, the notorious leader of ISWAP, was seriously wounded in the attack, sustaining injuries to his face and upper limbs. His exact condition and capacity to command remain unknown.
Military sources say the disruption of ISWAP’s regrouping efforts has significantly degraded the group’s operational capabilities and plunged its ranks into disarray.
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai, both air and ground components, have been commended for their precision and resolve. Commanders have urged continued vigilance to maintain momentum and deny terrorist elements the ability to regroup or threaten civilians in the region.
The latest success underscores the military’s renewed strategy to target terrorist leadership and infrastructure, a move expected to accelerate the restoration of peace and stability across the Northeast.
By PRNigeria