Some fighters belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) have reportedly turned their weapons against one another following an internal disagreement among senior commanders in the Timbuktu Triangle.
Counter-terrorism analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on X, stating that the deadly clash stemmed from a dispute over a planned attack.
According to the report, tensions escalated after one of the commanders, identified as Abu Ali, reportedly refused to deploy fighters under his command for an operation scheduled to take place the previous night.
His decision allegedly angered another senior commander, who accused him of deliberately sabotaging the mission and questioned his commitment to the group.
The report further indicated that the confrontation was the result of weeks of growing friction among ISWAP leaders over operational decisions, limited resources and the management of logistics within the terrorist enclave.
It was gathered that the disagreement over the planned attack merely exposed deeper divisions among rival commanders, who have increasingly been competing for influence, manpower and access to supplies.
The Timbuktu Triangle has long served as one of ISWAP’s major strongholds, functioning as a base for commanders, training camps and logistics centres from where attacks are coordinated across parts of the Lake Chad Basin.
The reported infighting is believed to reflect ongoing internal tensions within the terrorist group as it struggles with leadership and operational challenges.
