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| New Boko Haram attack on Nigerian city of Maiduguri | New Boko Haram attack on Nigerian city of Maiduguri |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Boko Haram Islamist militants have launched a fresh assault on the strategically important Nigerian city of Maiduguri, eyewitnesses say. | Boko Haram Islamist militants have launched a fresh assault on the strategically important Nigerian city of Maiduguri, eyewitnesses say. |
| Gunfire was reported on the streets of the northern city after an attack that began in the early hours of Sunday. | Gunfire was reported on the streets of the northern city after an attack that began in the early hours of Sunday. |
| It comes a week after Boko Haram's last attempt to capture the capital of Borno state was repelled by the Nigerian army with heavy loss of life. | It comes a week after Boko Haram's last attempt to capture the capital of Borno state was repelled by the Nigerian army with heavy loss of life. |
| Boko Haram began guerrilla operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state. | Boko Haram began guerrilla operations in 2009 to create an Islamic state. |
| It has taken control of many towns and villages in north-eastern Nigeria in the last year. | It has taken control of many towns and villages in north-eastern Nigeria in the last year. |
| The conflict has displaced at least 1.5 million people, while more than 2,000 were killed last year. | The conflict has displaced at least 1.5 million people, while more than 2,000 were killed last year. |
| 'In fear' | 'In fear' |
| Residents in Maiduguri told the AFP news agency that the attack began at 03:00 (02:00 GMT) and that heavy fighting is taking place on the southern edge of the city between insurgents and troops supported by vigilantes who recently have taken a central role in fighting the militants. | Residents in Maiduguri told the AFP news agency that the attack began at 03:00 (02:00 GMT) and that heavy fighting is taking place on the southern edge of the city between insurgents and troops supported by vigilantes who recently have taken a central role in fighting the militants. |
| The security forces have not so far commented on the latest fighting. Their handling of the six-year insurgency has often been criticised and the loss of Maiduguri would be another major setback. | |
| "The whole city is in fear," resident Adam Krenuwa was quoted as saying. "People are afraid of what will happen if Boko Haram defeats the security forces." | "The whole city is in fear," resident Adam Krenuwa was quoted as saying. "People are afraid of what will happen if Boko Haram defeats the security forces." |
| The Nigerian Premium Times newspaper reported that heavy artillery could be heard in Maiduguri as the militants attacked the city from four directions. | The Nigerian Premium Times newspaper reported that heavy artillery could be heard in Maiduguri as the militants attacked the city from four directions. |
| Boko Haram at a glance | Boko Haram at a glance |
| Soldiers without weapons | Soldiers without weapons |
| Who are Boko Haram? | Who are Boko Haram? |
| Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram | Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram |
| Boko Haram's last attempt to take over Maiduguri a week ago was stopped by the military. | Boko Haram's last attempt to take over Maiduguri a week ago was stopped by the military. |
| But the militants did succeed in capturing the town of Monguno - 125km (80 miles) outside the city and took over a military base. | But the militants did succeed in capturing the town of Monguno - 125km (80 miles) outside the city and took over a military base. |
| With the insurgents gaining more and more territory Maiduguri - home to tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes because of the conflict - has been increasingly vulnerable. | With the insurgents gaining more and more territory Maiduguri - home to tens of thousands of people who have fled their homes because of the conflict - has been increasingly vulnerable. |
| Aid agencies have warned that the fall of the city would trigger a humanitarian disaster. | Aid agencies have warned that the fall of the city would trigger a humanitarian disaster. |
| Analysts say that the rebels are stepping up their attacks ahead of elections in Nigeria on 14 February. | Analysts say that the rebels are stepping up their attacks ahead of elections in Nigeria on 14 February. |
| President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and two neighbouring states in 2013, vowing to defeat the militants. | President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in Borno and two neighbouring states in 2013, vowing to defeat the militants. |
| However, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since then and there are fears that many people in the north-east will not be able to vote in the election because of the conflict. | However, Boko Haram has stepped up attacks since then and there are fears that many people in the north-east will not be able to vote in the election because of the conflict. |
| The African Union (AU) has this week backed plans for a West African task force of 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram. | The African Union (AU) has this week backed plans for a West African task force of 7,500 troops to fight Boko Haram. |
| Four of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - have agreed to contribute troops. | Four of Nigeria's neighbours - Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger - have agreed to contribute troops. |
| Are you in the area? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with your experiences. | Are you in the area? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co with your experiences. |
| Have your say | Have your say |