Jihadis Networks and their Backgrounds

Jihadis Networks and their Backgrounds

What is a jihadis network?

A jihadis network is a structure that has an informal, fluctuating leadership, and flexible membership that is made up of nodes who are Moslems practicing "jihads" and by the links that are created through these nodes (Canals, 2009). Despite the informal structure, there is a definite pattern of connections between nodes, and they communicate intending to achieve a common objective (Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, 2006). An example of this is the West African Boko Haram terror network.

Where does your selected group primarily operate? (cite specific geographic locations such as country, region or province)

Boko Haram began and still has its primary operations in Nigeria. The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awatu wal-Jihad, Arabic for "people committed to the propagation of the prophet's teachings and Jihad" (Chothia, 2016). Mohammed Yusuf founded Boko Haram in 2002, and its operations were concentrated in three states, Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa (Chothia, 2016). The group draws most of its fighters from the ethnic group named Kanuri, which is the largest in these three states. Over the years, this terror network has widened its operations to the entire of Nigeria. At the moment, it is extending its military campaign to target neighboring countries, e.g., Cameroon, Chad, and Niger (Chothia, 2016).

What are the physiological and primary motivations for the selected group?

The group might argue to be furthering the teachings of the Prophet. Still, in reality, they are nothing more than selfish, self-seeking individuals who are experiencing the same negative social challenges and misfortunes. As a result, individuals who have joined Boko Haram are frustrated with the hardships of life and think that the government is responsible for their prevailing situations. The primary motivation to join Boko Haram for Nigeria youth, especially those in the North-Eastern region of the country, is chronic poverty (Chothia, 2016). The majority of the youth who joined the Boko Haram were frustrated with the inability to make a meaningful life for themselves, despite being educated, and thus, western education was meaningless. By joining the growing ideology presented by Mohammed Yusuf, they had an opportunity to better their lives. All through Nigeria, educated youth who feel disenfranchised by the government has seen an opportunity in Boko Haram. Other motivations that have contributed to the continued growth of the group are the tactics used by the government, e.g., extrajudicial killing (Walker, 2012; Onuoha, Nwangwu & Ugwueze, 2020).

What are the organization's targets? How are they chosen?

Since 2002 when the Boko Haram insurgency was founded, it has embarked on a violent military campaign in the north-eastern region of Nigeria. It intends to expel the political establishment in the region, removing all western influences, e.g., western education in their areas of operations, and to ultimately overthrow the national government and replace it with an Islamic state (Chothia, 2016; Walker, 2012). To achieve these goals, Boko Haram targets and bombs churches, bars, military barracks, bus ranks, and has even targeted police and the UN headquarters in Abuja (Chothia, 2016). These targets are mainly selected based on damage to be caused, publicity to be created, and the potentially minimal resistance to be experienced, as the group's targets are primarily soft.

What has the United States (UN) done to counter the terrorist organization? Are these efforts effective?

Boko Haram poses a threat to the sovereignty of Nigeria, and thus, it is a threat to the national interests of the US. The US has revitalized its strategy to counter Boko Haram by increasing foreign military sales. Moreover, the US is also incentivizing disarmament, reintegration and demobilization efforts in Nigeria; and improving the security forces assistance mission to include cyber support, aviation training, and nonlethal effects (Duncan, 2018). However, despite these efforts, Boko Haram has continued to wreak havoc in Nigeria; for example, Boko Haram has continued to attack military personnel and infrastructure. In early March 2020, the insurgency attacked an army base on the town of Damboa, killing four police officers and two civilians (Onuoha et al., 2020). The nature and the continued audacious attacks by Boko Haram on Military barracks point to a lack of effectiveness on the efforts by both the Nigeria Government and its international partners, e.g., the US in fighting Boko Haram.