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Niger investigates airstrike on Boko Haram that killed 36 civilians
Source: Christian Science Monitor
Niger investigates airstrike on Boko Haram that killed 36 civilians
By Paula Rogo, Staff writer FEBRUARY 20, 2015
Niger’s government has opened an official investigation into an airstrike that killed 36 civilians in the town of Abadam earlier this week, a move that could destabilize the multinational military force tasked with defeating the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
On Tuesday, mourners were gathering for a funeral in Abadam when an unidentified military plane bombed them, likely mistaking them for members of Boko Haram. The village’s deputy mayor blamed the Nigerian military, Reuters reports, though his allegation remains unverified. The Nigerian government has yet to comment on who they believe is at fault.
“It's not to my knowledge and there has not been any report from our people of such an incident,” Dele Alonge, a spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, told the BBC.
Niger announced three days of mourning to honor the victims, starting Thursday. Its government opened the investigation after Central African heads of state finalized their plan to create a joint military strategy earlier this week, announcing that they had contributed more than half of the $100 million needed to fight Boko Haram.
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By Paula Rogo, Staff writer FEBRUARY 20, 2015
Niger’s government has opened an official investigation into an airstrike that killed 36 civilians in the town of Abadam earlier this week, a move that could destabilize the multinational military force tasked with defeating the Islamic militant group Boko Haram.
On Tuesday, mourners were gathering for a funeral in Abadam when an unidentified military plane bombed them, likely mistaking them for members of Boko Haram. The village’s deputy mayor blamed the Nigerian military, Reuters reports, though his allegation remains unverified. The Nigerian government has yet to comment on who they believe is at fault.
“It's not to my knowledge and there has not been any report from our people of such an incident,” Dele Alonge, a spokesman for the Nigerian Air Force, told the BBC.
Niger announced three days of mourning to honor the victims, starting Thursday. Its government opened the investigation after Central African heads of state finalized their plan to create a joint military strategy earlier this week, announcing that they had contributed more than half of the $100 million needed to fight Boko Haram.
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Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2015/0220/Niger-investigates-airstrike-on-Boko-Haram-that-killed-36-civilians
