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Cameroon kills 100 Boko Haram militants, frees 900 hostages

December 2, 2015

Cameroon has claimed to have killed at least 100 Boko Haram terrorists and freed 900 hostages in security operations. The army operation reportedly secured arms and ammunition, as well as "Islamic State" flags.

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Anti-Boko Haram forces in Cameroon.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/N. Chimtom

Cameroonian army and defense officials on Wednesday said that security operations along the border with Nigeria last week killed at least 100 militants and freed 900 hostages.

The operation also reportedly secured arms and ammunition and "Islamic State" flags from Boko Haram, which has claimed allegiance to the global terror group.

Cameroon's claim could not be independently verified.

Cameroon is part of a regional coalition fighting Boko Haram, the world's deadliest terror organization responsible for at least 20,000 deaths in the past six years.

The terror group has expanded operations from Nigeria to Niger, Chad and Cameroon over the past year.

Infografik Terror Index Bokoharam IS englisch

In October, the United States announced it was sending 300 troops to Cameroon to help in counter-terror operations through reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.

Suicide attacks

Twin suicide attacks killed at least six people in the northern Cameroon district of Waza on Tuesday night.

The attacks were carried out by teenage girls, a common tactic used by Boko Haram.

Authorities said they believed the suicide bombers crossed over from Nigeria.

The group regularly conducts shooting and suicide attacks on markets, civilians, mosques and churches.

On Monday, a landmine planted by Boko Haram killed two Cameroonian soldiers in the north of the country.

cw/rc (AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters)