Chad and Niger launched a joint army operation against Boko Haram in Nigeria on Sunday, intensifying a regional offensive designed to defeat the Islamic group, military sources said.
It is the first incursion deep into Nigeria by troops from Niger, which have so far only fought Boko Haram in the border area. Chad has sent troops many kilometres inside northeastern Nigeria and has won territory back from Boko haram near the Nigeria-Cameroon border.
"We can confirm that Chadian and Nigerien forces launched an offensive this morning from Niger. The offensive is underway," said Colonel Azem Bermandoa, spokesman for Chad's army.
Niger military sources said troops were attacking militants from the Islamist group in Nigeria's Borno State, having entered via the country's southeastern region near Diffa.
Reports say that Nigeria had given the green light for the operation. It was not clear how many troops were participating in the offensive
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