Around the world, security forces remain in conflict with countless armed actors; jihadist, bandit, herder-farmer, and separatist violence endures despite ongoing military operations.
In North East Nigeria, jihadist violence endures. Government forces claimed further gains against the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram in Borno state. The air force reported killing several insurgents and destroying many hideouts and camps in airstrikes in the Mandara mountains on July 3. However, insurgent explosive devices killed at least seven soldiers on the Monguno-Baga road on July 25 and at least 19 civilians at a teahouse in Kawuri village, Konduga area, on July 31. A court jailed 125 suspected Boko Haram members and financiers for various jail terms on July 28.
Banditry continues to wreak havoc across Nigeria’s North West and North Central zones. In Katsina state, the Runka village in the Safana area reported that 26 people were taken by bandits on 6 July. In Zamfara state, an armed group killed four and abducted about 150 from Dan Isa, Kaura Namoda area, on 14 July. In the state of Sokoto, Sabon Birni area, bandits seized a local chief and six others on 27 July, demanding over $300,000 ransom, and killed two, abducted 20 on 30 July.
The herder-farmer crisis remains potent, with the government announcing new peace efforts. Armed groups attacked several farming villages in Benue state, killing 25 people in the Agatu and Gwer West areas on 9 and 14 July respectively, with locals blaming herders. On July 20, 18 people were killed and two abducted in the Katsina-Ala area, which authorities attributed to “local militia.” President Tinubu announced the creation of a new federal livestock ministry and a committee to recommend measures to end herder-farmer violence on July 9.
Separatist-related violence in South East Nigeria continued. The military said it killed a leader of the separatist group Indigenous People of Biafra’s armed wing, Eastern Security Network, following raids on their forest camps in Imo State on July 1. Gunmen attacked and killed five police officers in Owerri and Mbaitoli areas of Imo on 29-30 July, with responsibility claimed by Finland-based IPOB factional leader Simon Ekpa through his Biafra Defence Forces.
In another development, the Nigerian government and security forces increased efforts to frustrate the planned national protests against the increasing cost of living from August 1-15. This ranged from a mooted increase in the minimum wage to threats of clamping down on violence during such protests, but their leaders remained resolute, thereby heightening nationwide tensions.
Meanwhile, across the Middle East, it was Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, just back from Tel Aviv, who was pleading with the Senate to expedite an Israel aid package and confirm Jack Lew as the new ambassador to Israel. Schumer said it contained military, intelligence, diplomatic, and humanitarian aid to Israel. “We want to move this package quickly. The Senate must go first.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell stood in agreement with Schumer, stating there was a requirement to reassure and confirm America’s commitment to the security of Israel.
Separately, the U.S. Navy’s relations with Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean have been brought closer to scrutiny following two incidents involving U.S. naval vessels. In early April, the USS San Juan, a Los Angeles-class submarine, docked at Limassol in the Republic of Cyprus, a move condemned by both the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The humanitarian assistance offered by the U.S. to the earthquake that hit Turkey in February was by sending the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, which came out against Turkish nationalists and some journalists mentioning and propagating conspiracy theories over its presence.
The prospect of a U.S. carrier visit was flatly ruled out by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who said, “We decide who will come or not to Turkey’s territorial waters.” But despite these incidents, experts, including Ryan Gingeras of the Naval Postgraduate School, don’t believe there’s any broader Turkish hostility toward the U.S. Navy in the region. Finally, anti-Americanism has also been fomented by conspiracy theories and historical incidents within Turkey itself, especially by the ruling AKP strategy of deflecting responsibility for crises onto the U.S. or whipping up anti-Americanism.
As global tensions rise, the interplay between military operations, political maneuvers, and public sentiment continues to shape the security landscape.