PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Islamic State: Boko Haram (11 March 2015)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the extent of links between ISIS and Boko Haram; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Gareth Thomas (Labour)

ISIL are seeking to influence other groups beyond the Middle East. Recent communications from Boko Haram appear to contain similar elements to those found in ISIL videos. On 7 March, Boko Haram released an audio statement by leader Abubakar Shekau pledging allegiance to ISIL which was subsequently accepted by ISIL on 12 March. Although concerning, this is not a particularly significant development. We assess that the alignment of the groups is for propaganda purposes and we have seen no evidence of operational links between the groups. We continue to keep the situation under review.
Answered by:
Mr Tobias Ellwood (Conservative)
16 March 2015