IS accepts Boko Haram allegiance pledge

Islamic State militants have accepted a pledge of allegiance by the Nigerian-grown Boko Haram extremist group, a spokesman for IS has said.

The development comes as both terror groups, which are among the most ruthless in the world, are under increasing military pressure and have suffered setbacks on the battlefield.

IS seized much of northern and western Iraq last summer, gaining control of about a third of both Iraq and Syria. But it is now struggling against Iraqi forces seeking to recapture Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit, while coming under fire from US-led coalition air strikes in other parts of the country and in Syria.