ISIS Takes Over Boko Haram, Names New Leader

The Islamic State, known as ISIS, has announced a new leader for the insurgent group, Boko Haram.

ISIS referred to Abu Musab al-Barnawi, who was previously spokesman for Boko Haram, as the new leader replacing Abubakar Shekau. But what is ISIS business with Boko Haram?



Abu al-Barnawi is featured in the latest issue of an ISIS magazine, the BBC has reported. The mag makes no reference to Mr. Shekau.

The eccentric Mr. Shekau was last seen in a Boko Haram propaganda video in March 2015, one of many footages released in his years of leading a brutal campaign against the Nigerian state.

In one of the videos, Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS, which was originally based in Syria and Iraq. ISIS has several offshoots now in other countries including Libya.

Boko Haram became more deadly under Shekau's leadership. What will Abu al-Barnawi bring?