The Nigerian army are reported to be carrying out airstrikes against Boko Haram's bases, especially the town of Bama which had been captured by the militant group earlier this week.

"If terrorists think we will weaken in the face of their threats they could not be more wrong. Countries like Britain and America will not be cowed by barbaric killers. We will be more forthright in the defence of our values, not least because a world of greater freedom is a fundamental part of how we keep our people safe."

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said she will pledge further economic support to Burma, providing that the Burmese regime does more to protect ethnic groups and holds fair elections next year, during a visit to Berlin by President Thein Sein.

Nigeria and its neighbours have met to discuss the rapid advance of Boko Haram in the country’s northeast, amidst fears of increased regional instability.

Foreign ministers from Benin, Cameroon, Chad and Niger were joined by officials from the US, Britain, France, Canada, the African Union and the UN, in the one-day meeting, aimed at reviewing progress of earlier meetings, Nigerian officials said on Wednesday.

The meeting would examine "the extent of foreign assistance, including efforts by the Nigerian government, in the continued fight to … rout the Boko Haram insurgency", the Nigerian foreign ministry said, according to The Guardian.

Somalia has offered members of al-Shabab amnesty, a day after a US air strike, which may have killed the leader of the militant group.

Members have been given 45 days to surrender to authorities, in order to be reintegrated into society, a statement by the government said.

Militants from Boko Haram have captured the strategic town of Bama, the second biggest town in Borno state in Nigeria’s north, local residents told BBC Hausa.

Thousands of civilians and Nigerian soldiers are reported to have fled the town after fierce fighting with Boko Haram.

It is feared that the militants’ next target is the state capital of Maiduguri, 70km northwest of the town, according to BBC Hausa’s Mansur Liman.

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Boko Haram last month declared an Islamic caliphate in the areas it controls.

The US military has confirmed it carried out a targeted operation against al-Shabab militants in Somalia.

"U.S. military forces conducted an operation in Somalia today against the al-Shabab network. We are assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information as and when appropriate," said Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby.

Four peacekeepers with the UN mission in northern Mali (Minusma) were killed when their convoy struck a land mine on Tuesday.

“The toll is four dead and 15 wounded, including six very seriously,” Olivier Salgado, spokesperson for Minusma told Reuters.