Boko Haram attacks Nigerian city from four fronts

The article says there is international outrage over Boko Haram, but only a few African countries have joined forces to fight them.

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria –  Nigerian troops Sunday repelled Islamic extremists who attacked from four fronts on Maiduguri, the biggest city in northeast Nigeria, with several civilians killed by aerial bombs and grenades and mortar shells on the ground.

Soldiers said hundreds of insurgents died.

Terrified residents fled homes shaking from five hours of heavy artillery fire and streamed in from the outskirts of the besieged city of 2 million, already crowded with another 200,000 refugees from the fighting.

For weeks Boko Haram has been closing in on Maiduguri, the groups spiritual birthplace....

In Maiduguri, a senior army officer said the militants were "everywhere," attacking from all four roads leading into the city.

Another officer said hundreds of insurgents, as many as 500, were killed before they took flight Sunday and many weapons were recovered including artillery guns and rocket-propelled grenades....

The government declared a state of emergency in three northeastern states in May 2013 after Boko Haram took control of dozens of villages and towns. Troops quickly drove the insurgents out but since then, ill-equipped and demoralized, have been losing ground.

In August, Boko Haram declared an Islamic caliphate and now holds about 130 towns and villages.
The uprising killed about 10,000 people last year, compared to about 2,000 in the first four years, according to the U.S. Council on Foreign Relations.

Boko Haram attacks Nigerian city from four fronts