U.S. condemns terrorist activities by Boko Haram in Cameroon, Niger

The United States condemns "in the strongest terms" the recent terrorist acts by Boko Haram militants in Cameroon and Niger, the State Department said on Friday.

"Boko Haram has perpetrated countless unprovoked attacks on men, women, and children in their homes, schools, places of worship, and businesses," State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said in a statement. "Their brutality and barbarism know no bounds."

Cameroonian authorities said on Thursday that 81 civilians were killed by Boko Haram militants in an attack in Cameroon's far-north region on Wednesday. On Friday morning, the Islamic extremist group attacked a border town of Bosso in Niger.

"Boko Haram must not be allowed to continue brutally terrorizing innocent civilians in Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. This unchecked killing must stop," Harf said.

Niger's military said on Friday that its troops killed 109 Boko Haram militants after a major attack by the group was repelled near the border with Nigeria.

The U.S. stands firmly with the governments and peoples of the region in the face of the threat from Boko Haram, Harf said, adding that the U.S. is responding to requests from Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria.

The U.S. continues to provide support to governments in the region, including through intelligence-sharing, and is increasing its support for those efforts, the spokeswoman added. Endit