Nigerian air raid strikes Boko Haram

(Vatican Radio) Nigerian troops launched an attack to try to take back control of the country’s northeast from Islamic insurgency. But the United States is warning troops to guard the safety of civilians in the process.

The Nigerian military launched an air raid Friday in the country’s northeast, reportedly killing dozens of people.

The raid was the government’s largest offensive to date against the Islamist extremist network Boko Haram, which launched a revolt about four years ago to establish a breakaway Islamic state.

Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the country’s northeast on Tuesday.

The United States, an important investor in Nigeria, has since reacted to the offensive.

Secretary of State John Kerry issued a strongly worded statement saying the United States condemns Boko Haram's campaign of terror but warning Nigerian troops to respect human rights and not to harm civilians.

Nigerian defence spokesman Brigadier-General Chris Olukolade reported that troops destroyed several Boko Haram camps and weapons stockpiles in forests around Borno state.

However, the effectiveness of this campaign is yet to be seen. Previous efforts to crush Boko Haram have always proved temporary, as the network eventually regroups and regains control of the region.

Several thousand people have been killed since Boko Haram rose up in 2009; 55 were killed by the extremist group just last month.

Listen to the report by Laura Ieraci: