article_snippet: a military official in the border town of Diffa, Niger spoke on condition of anonymity because a military official in the border town of Diffa, Niger is not authorized to comment publicly about the operation.
article_snippet: ‎Residents said artillery fire and fighter jets pushed Boko Haram fighters into the Damasak district of Nigeria, which is a Boko Haram enclave.
article_snippet: Around 6 a.m., soldiers from Niger and Chad in huge numbers confronted Boko Haram around the Doutchi area outside Diffa and later crossed the bridge into Nigeria," said Diffa resident Ari Boubakarna.
article_snippet: We heard huge explosions from artillery fire and fighter jets, but huge explosions from artillery fire and fighter jets receded ‎as the troops moved further into Nigeria,Diffa resident Ari Boubakarna Diffa resident Ari Boubakarna continued.
article_snippet: A journalist working in Diffa saw ‎troops headed toward the border with Nigeria, where Boko Haram fighters had taken up positions.
article_snippet: A journalist working in Diffa left in a huge convoy of over 200 vehicles, some of A journalist working in Diffa fitted with machine guns, including armored tanks, ambulances, water tankers and cargo trucks, which indicate some of them were going for a prolonged operation," A journalist working in Diffa said.
article_snippet: ‎Residents lined up the streets to offer water and tea as the troops drove out of Diffa, residents said, adding that soldiers promised to capture Shekau alive.‎ .
article_snippet: ‎Another contingent of troops, backed by air support, moved out from the town of Bosso, Niger, according to residents.
article_snippet: Soldiers in large numbers crossed into Nigeria this morning, and we could hear thunderous sounds of gunfire and explosions coming from the direction of Malam Fatori," Bosso resident Tandja Moumouni said.
article_snippet: As a part of this alliance, thousands of troops from Niger and Chad were stationed in Bosso and Diffa in January.