A violent confrontation erupted among Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the Timbuktu Triangle, resulting in multiple casualties. According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the skirmish was triggered by a severe disagreement between senior field commanders regarding an upcoming military operation.
The conflict reportedly began when a commander named Abu Ali blocked his subordinates from joining a mission scheduled for the previous evening. This refusal infuriated a rival commander, leading to accusations of sabotage and questioning of his loyalty to the faction. Makama noted that this incident was the breaking point following weeks of mounting friction over resource allocation, logistics management, and strategic decision-making within the group.
This internal strife highlights growing power struggles for influence and supplies within the organization. The Timbuktu Triangle remains a vital stronghold for the group, housing training camps and serving as a central hub for coordinating regional attacks across the Lake Chad Basin.