Boko Haram

==International responses==
===Dates of designation as a terrorist organization===

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Country/Organization !!data-sort-type="date"| Date
|-
|{{flagicon|Australia}} [[Australia]]||26 June 2014<ref name="Australia proscribed" >{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/default.aspx |title=Listed terrorist organisations, Australian National Security |access-date=8 January 2014 |archive-date=25 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025195553/https://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/Listedterroristorganisations/Pages/default.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
|{{BHR}}
|<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mofa.gov.bh/Default.aspx?tabid=12342&language=en-US|title=Bahrain Terrorist List (individuals – entities)|website=www.mofa.gov.bh}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|Canada}} [[Canada]]||24 December 2013<ref name="Canada proscribed" >{{cite web |url=http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/cnt/ntnl-scrt/cntr-trrrsm/lstd-ntts/crrnt-lstd-ntts-eng.aspx |title=Currently listed entities, Public Safety Canada |access-date=8 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
|{{CHN}}
|<ref name="scmp.com"/>
|-
|{{IRQ}}
|<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://diyaruna.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_di/features/2020/02/20/feature-03|title=Iraqi government freezes assets of 93 terrorism supporting entities|first=Khalid|last=al-Taie|website=Diyaruna}}</ref>
|-
|{{MYS}}
|2014<ref>{{cite web |title=ANTI MONEY ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING, ANTI-TERRORISM FINANCING AND PROCEEDS OF UNLAWFUL ACTIVITIES ACT 2001 |url=http://www.moha.gov.my/images/maklumat_bahagian/KK/kdndomestic.pdf |website=www.moha.gov.my}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|New Zealand|}} [[New Zealand]]||March 2014<ref name="New Zealand designates Boko Haram as a terrorist group">{{cite web |title=New Zealand designates Boko Haram as a terrorist group|url=http://gordoncampbell.scoop.co.nz/2014/05/15/gordon-campbell-on-new-zealands-role-in-combatting-boko-haram/ |publisher=New Zealand Government |access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|UAE}} [[United Arab Emirates]]||15 November 2014<ref name="UAE proscribed">{{cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/uae-publishes-list-of-terrorist-organisations-1.1412895 |title=UAE publishes list of terrorist organisations |access-date=8 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117190405/http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/government/uae-publishes-list-of-terrorist-organisations-1.1412895 |archive-date=17 November 2014 }}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|United Kingdom}} [[United Kingdom]]||10 July 2013<ref name="UK proscribed">{{cite web|title=Proscribed Terrorist Organisations |url=http://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324603/20140627-List_of_Proscribed_organisations_WEBSITE_final.pdf |date=20 June 2014 |publisher=[[Home Office]] |access-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140815183741/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/324603/20140627-List_of_Proscribed_organisations_WEBSITE_final.pdf |archive-date=15 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Daily Hansard - Debate">{{cite web |title=Daily Hansard&nbsp;— Debate 10 July|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmhansrd/cm130710/debtext/130710-0004.htm |publisher=[[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] |access-date=23 February 2015}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|UN}} [[United Nations]]||22 May 2014<ref name="UN proscribed" >{{cite web |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11410.doc.htm |title=Security Council Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee Adds Boko Haram to Its Sanctions List |access-date=8 January 2014}}</ref>
|-
|{{flagicon|United States}} [[United States]]||14 November 2013<ref name="US proscribed" >{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |title=Foreign Terrorist Organizations |publisher=Bureau of Counterterrorism, United States Department of State |access-date=28 July 2014}}</ref>
|}

===African Coalition force===
{{Further|Multinational Joint Task Force}}
After a series of meetings over many months,<ref name="ngrguardiannews.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/187812-five-lake-chad-region-nations-meet-over-boko-haram |title=Guardian News Website - Five Lake Chad region nations meet over Boko Haram |access-date=2015-01-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150118204900/http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/news/national-news/187812-five-lake-chad-region-nations-meet-over-boko-haram |archive-date=18 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="sunnewsonline.com">{{cite news |url=http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=85939 |title=Jonathan tasks Defence, Foreign Ministers of Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, Niger, Benin on Boko Haram's defeat |publisher=sunnewsonline.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119024527/http://sunnewsonline.com/new/?p=85939 |archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/17/west-african-countries-must-unite-fight-boko-haram-nigeria |title=African leaders pledge 'total war' on Boko Haram after Nigeria kidnap |author=Martin Williams |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London}}</ref> Cameroon's foreign minister announced on 30 November 2014 that a coalition force to fight terrorism, including Boko Haram, would soon be operational. The force would include 3,500 soldiers from [[Benin]], Chad, Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/minister-military-alliance-boko-haram-readies-27289062 |title=Minister: Military Alliance Vs. Boko Haram Readies |work=[[ABC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/12/01/cameroon-minister-5-nation-military-force-against-boko-haram-to-be-operational/ |title=Cameroon minister: 5-nation military force against Boko Haram to be operational within weeks |publisher=[[Fox News]]}}</ref> Discussions between the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) about a broader based military force were held in January 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.voanews.com/content/west-africa-leaders-consider-new-force-to-fight-boko-haram/2600935.html |title=W. African Leaders Consider New Force to Fight Boko Haram |publisher=VOA}}</ref>

In early February 2015, an agreement to provide 7,500 African Union troops from Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Niger was tentatively reached. On 2 February 2015, the Nigerian Army said it had recaptured [[Gamboru]] from Boko Haram, along with the nearby towns of [[Mafa]], Mallam Fatori, [[Abadam]], and [[Marte, Nigeria|Marte]] following a joint weekend offensive by Nigerian, Chadian and Cameroonian forces.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Nigeria claims Gamboru, four towns recaptured from Boko Haram|work = AFP - Yahoo News|date = 2015-02-02|url = https://news.yahoo.com/nigeria-claims-gamboru-four-towns-recaptured-boko-haram-182136983.html}}</ref> By 6 February 2015, Chadian and Nigerian warplanes and ground troops had forced Boko Haram forces to abandon about a dozen towns and villages.<ref name=postpones>{{cite news|title=Nigeria postpones elections, focuses on major offensive against Boko Haram |agency=[[Associated Press|AP News]]|work=The Christian Science Monitor|date=February 7, 2015|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2015/0207/Nigeria-postpones-elections-focuses-on-major-offensive-against-Boko-Haram-video}}</ref> On 17 February 2015, the Nigerian military retook [[Monguno]] in a coordinated air and ground assault. On 6 March 2015, the African Union endorsed the creation of a regional force of more than 8,000 troops to combat Boko Haram.<ref name=allies>{{cite news|title=Boko Haram conflict: Nigerian allies launch offensive|date=March 8, 2015|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31789412|access-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref>

===Chinese assistance===
In May 2014, [[China]] offered Nigeria assistance that included satellite data, and possibly [[military equipment]].<ref name="scmp.com"/>

===Colombian assistance===
In October 2015, [[Colombia]] sent a delegation of security experts to assist the Nigerian authorities and share expertise on security and counter terrorism.<ref>Talatu Usman, [http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/191413-boko-haram-obasanjo-leads-colombian-security-experts-to-buhari.html "Boko Haram: Obasanjo leads Colombian security experts to Buhari"], ''Premium Times'', 12 October 2015.</ref> In January 2016, a delegation led by [[Tukur Yusuf Buratai|Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai]] also visited Colombia to exchange information in regards to the war against Boko Haram.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenewsnigeria.com.ng/2016/01/in-pictures-lt-general-buratai-visits-colombia/ |title=In Pictures: Lt. General Buratai visits Colombia {{pipe}} The NEWS |publisher=Thenewsnigeria.com.ng |date=2016-01-25 |access-date=2016-05-21}}</ref><ref>Andrés Garcia, [http://www.minuto30.com/comandante-del-ejercito-de-nigeria-visita-colombia-para-compartir-experiencias/429859/ "Comandante del Ejército de Nigeria Visita Colombia para compartir experiencias" (Spanish)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126113448/http://www.minuto30.com/comandante-del-ejercito-de-nigeria-visita-colombia-para-compartir-experiencias/429859/ |date=26 January 2016 }}, ''Minuto 30'', 25 January 2016.</ref>

===South African and post-Soviet states assistance===
In March 2015, it was reported that Nigeria had employed hundreds of [[mercenaries]] from [[South Africa]] and the [[Post-Soviet states|former Soviet Union]] to assist it in its effort to make gains against Boko Haram before the 28 March election.<ref>{{cite news | title=Nigeria drafts in foreign mercenaries to take on Boko Haram | author=Ed Cropley and David Lewis | date=12 March 2015 | work=[[Reuters]]| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-nigeria-violence-mercenaries-idUKKBN0M80VT20150312?irpc=932 | access-date=30 June 2017 | archive-date=24 September 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924214226/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/03/12/uk-nigeria-violence-mercenaries-idUKKBN0M80VT20150312?irpc=932 | url-status=live }}</ref>

===French and British assistance===
{{main|Operation Turus}}
[[France]] and the [[United Kingdom]], in coordination with the United States, have sent trainers and material assistance to Nigeria to assist in the fight against Boko Haram.<ref name="scmp.com">{{cite news |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/china-insider/article/1507498/china-pledges-help-nigerias-hunt-boko-haram-militants |title=China pledges help to Nigeria's hunt for Boko Haram militants |date=8 May 2014 |work=South China Morning Post}}</ref> France planned to use 3,000 troops in the region for counter-terrorism operations. Israel and Canada also pledged support.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/1.591226 |title=France, African states 'declare war' on Boko Haram |date=18 May 2014 |newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref>

In 2017, the United Kingdom enforced an emergency assistance package worth $259 million. The United Kingdom has also aided Nigeria through military support and counter-terrorism training. The [[Government of the United Kingdom|British government]] has provided training to 28,000 Nigerian military troops to aid the fight against Boko Haram. More than 40 British soldiers have also been sent on a long-term deployment to Nigeria.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Robertson|first1=Nic|title=UK government doubles Nigerian aid package to help fight Boko Haram|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/08/30/africa/uk-foreign-secretary-boris-johnson-nigeria-visit-boko-haram/index.html|website=[[CNN]]|date=31 August 2017}}</ref>

On 28 August 2018, the British government produced a press release describing the details the newly launched partnership between the United Kingdom and Nigeria which was formed to attempt to reduce the threat posed by Boko Haram to the citizens of the two nations. The press release gives an insight into the multiple methods (including community engagement and direct intervention by the Nigerian government) of preventing and reducing the impacts of attacks carried out by Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Specific details of the cooperation between the British and Nigerian governments include:

A [[pound sterling|£]]13 million programme to educate 100,000 children living in the conflict zone and;
implementing a Nigerian crisis response mechanism to help the government respond to incidents like terror attacks and;
cutting the number of new recruits joining Boko Haram by tackling the false information spread by the group to recruit new members.<ref>{{cite web |title=UK and Nigeria step up cooperation to end Boko Haram threat |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-nigeria-step-up-cooperation-to-end-boko-haram-threat |website=GOV.UK |access-date=2020-01-01}}</ref>

===United States responses===
In 2012, the [[U.S. Department of State]] had an internal debate on whether to place Boko Haram on its '''list of FTOs''' ([[United States State Department list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations|Foreign Terrorist Organizations]]).<ref name="KesslerBoko">{{cite news|author=Glenn Kessler|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2014/05/19/boko-haram-inside-the-state-department-debate-over-the-terrorist-label/|title=Boko Haram: Inside the State Department debate over the 'terrorist' label|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=19 May 2014}}</ref> The [[Bureau of Counterterrorism]] leaned towards designation while the [[Bureau of African Affairs]] urged caution.<ref name="KesslerBoko" /> Officials from the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]], the FBI, the CIA, and a number of members of Congress urged the State Department to designate Boko Haram as an FTO.<ref>Josh Rogin, [http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/05/07/hillary-s-state-department-refused-to-brand-boko-haram-as-terrorists.html Hillary's State Department Refused to Brand Boko Haram as Terrorists], ''Daily Beast'' (7 May 2014).</ref> The Nigerian government voiced its opposition to an FTO designation, citing concerns that it would raise Boko Haram's stature and have implications for humanitarian aid in the region where Boko Haram operated.<ref name="KesslerBoko" /> Twenty academic experts on Nigeria signed a letter to the State Department urging it not to designate Boko Haram as an FTO, saying that it would hinder NGO efforts in the region and might legitimize the Nigerian Army's human rights abuses in its efforts to fight Boko Haram.<ref name="KesslerBoko" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://carllevan.com/2012/05/boko-haram-letter-to-clinton-from-scholars/|title=Letter to Secretary Clinton from Nigeria Scholars|date=2012-05-21|language=en|access-date=2016-07-23|archive-date=24 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160724025805/http://carllevan.com/2012/05/boko-haram-letter-to-clinton-from-scholars/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://carllevan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Boko-Haram-FTO-letter-to-Clinton4.pdf|title=Boko Haram FTO letter to Clinton|access-date=17 September 2016|archive-date=18 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218073919/https://carllevan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Boko-Haram-FTO-letter-to-Clinton4.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The U.S. State Department designated Boko Haram and its offshoot [[Ansaru]] as terrorist organizations in November 2013, citing Boko Haram's links with AQIM and its responsibility for "thousands of deaths in northeast and central Nigeria over the last several years including targeted killings of civilians".<ref name="Office of the Spokesperson">{{cite web |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/11/217509.htm|title=Terrorist Designations of Boko Haram and Ansaru |publisher=U.S. Department of State |date=13 November 2013 |access-date=24 July 2014}}</ref> The State Department also cited Ansaru's 2013 kidnapping and execution of seven international construction workers.<ref name="Office of the Spokesperson"/> In the statement it was noted, however, "These designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts."<ref name="Office of the Spokesperson"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr3209ih/pdf/BILLS-113hr3209ih.pdf |title=A bill to impose sanctions against persons who knowingly provide material support or resources to Boko Haram or its affiliates, associated groups, or agents, and for other purposes |publisher=U.S. Congress |date=27 September 2013 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> The State Department had resisted earlier calls to designate Boko Haram as a terrorist group after the [[2011 Abuja United Nations bombing]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CPRT-112HPRT71725/pdf/CPRT-112HPRT71725.pdf|title=Boko Haram: Emerging Threat to the U.S. Homeland |publisher=[[United States House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence]]|date=2011}}</ref> The U.S. government does not believe Boko Haram is currently (2014) affiliated with al Qaeda Central, despite periodic pledges of support and solidarity from its leadership for al-Qaeda, but is particularly concerned about ties between Boko Haram and Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (including "likely sharing funds, training, and explosive materials").<ref name="Congressional"/><!--see page 7-->

Efforts to cooperate in freeing the Chibok schoolgirls had faltered, largely due to mutual distrust; the infiltration of the military by Boko Haram meant that U.S. officials were wary of sharing raw intelligence data, and the Nigerian military had failed to supply information that might have aided U.S. drone flights in locating the kidnapped girls. The Nigerian government claims that Boko Haram is "the West Africa branch of the world-wide Al-Qaeda movement" with connections to [[Al-Shabaab (militant group)|al-Shabaab]] in [[Somalia]] and AQIM in Mali. The Nigerian government denies having committed human rights abuses in the conflict, and therefore oppose U.S. restrictions on arms sales, which they see as being based on the U.S. mis-application of the [[Leahy Law]] due to concerns over [[human rights in Nigeria]]. The U.S. had supplied the Nigerian army with trucks and equipment but had blocked the sale of [[Cobra helicopter]]s. In November 2014 the U.S. State department again refused to supply Cobras, citing concerns over the Nigerian military's ability to maintain and use them without endangering civilians.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nigeriaembassyusa.org/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=357&cntnt01origid=15&cntnt01detailtemplate=nigeriadet&cntnt01returnid=108 |title=A Stable and Secure Nigeria: An Asset to America |publisher=Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Washington, D.C. |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-30006066 |title=Boko Haram crisis: Nigeria fury over U.S. arms refusal |work=[[BBC News]]|date=11 November 2014 |access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/01/world/with-schoolgirls-still-missing-fragile-us-nigeria-ties-falter.html |title=With Schoolgirls Taken by Boko Haram Still Missing, U.S.-Nigeria Ties Falter |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |author=Eric Schmidt |date=31 December 2014 |access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref><ref name=cobra/>

On 1 December 2014, the U.S. embassy in Abuja announced that the U.S. had discontinued training a Nigerian battalion at the request of the Nigerian government. A spokesman for the U.S. state department said: "We regret premature termination of this training, as it was to be the first in a larger planned project that would have trained additional units with the goal of helping the Nigerian Army build capacity to counter Boko Haram. The U.S. government will continue other aspects of the extensive bilateral security relationship, as well as all other assistance programs, with Nigeria. The U.S. government is committed to the long tradition of partnership with Nigeria and will continue to engage future requests for cooperation and training".<ref name=cobra>{{cite news |url=http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2014/12/01/nigeria-ends-us-mission-counter-boko-haram/19743581/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20141201234012/http://www.navytimes.com/story/military/2014/12/01/nigeria-ends-us-mission-counter-boko-haram/19743581/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2014 |title=Nigeria ends U.S. mission to counter Boko Haram |newspaper=Navy Times |author=Jeff Schogol |author2=Joe Gould |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=1 December 2014}}</ref>

On 24 September 2015, the White House announced a military aid package for African allies fighting Boko Haram. The package included up to $45 million for training and other support for [[Benin]], Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-boko-haram-whitehouse-idUSKCN0RO2BY20150924|title=U.S. directs up to $45 million to support countries fighting Boko Haram|work=[[Reuters]]|date=24 September 2015|access-date=11 October 2015|archive-date=18 October 2017|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20171018004850/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-boko-haram-whitehouse/u-s-directs-up-to-45-million-to-support-countries-fighting-boko-haram-idUSKCN0RO2BY20150924|url-status=live}}</ref> On 14 October 2015, the White House released a statement, in accordance with the [[War Powers Resolution]], announcing the deployment of 300 troops to Cameroon to conduct airborne ISR: "These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon until their support is no longer needed."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/14/letter-from-president-war-powers-resolution-cameroon|title=Letter From The President-- War Powers Resolution Regarding Cameroon|author=Barack Obama|date=14 October 2015|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|access-date=22 October 2015}}</ref>

In October 2015, General [[David M. Rodriguez]], the head of the [[United States Africa Command]], reported that Boko Haram has lost territory, directly contradicting statements which were made by Boko Haram. U.S. efforts to train and share intelligence with regional military forces is credited with helping to push back against Boko Haram, but officials warn that the group remains a grave threat.<ref>{{cite news | title=Boko Haram Has Lost Territory in Nigeria, U.S. General Says | author=Julian E. Barnes | date=29 October 2015 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]| url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/boko-haram-has-lost-territory-in-nigeria-u-s-general-says-1446136475}}</ref>

===United Nations responses===
In January 2019, when thousands of refugees from northeastern Nigeria were forced to return from Cameroon, despite the continuous threat to civilian lives by Boko Haram jihadists, the [[United Nations]] was "extremely alarmed". "This action was totally unexpected and puts lives of thousands of refugees at risk," the [[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]], [[Filippo Grandi]] said. The UNHCR appealed to Cameroon "to continue its open door and hospitable policy" and stop any more returns.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/19/thousands-of-nigerian-refugees-fleeing-boko-haram-forced-back-by-cameroon|title=Thousands of Nigerian refugees fleeing Boko Haram forced back by Cameroon|access-date=19 January 2019|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> In March 2021, the UN announced it was launching a $1 billion appeal in Abuja, with the goal of providing assistance to an estimated nine million northern Nigerians in need of [[humanitarian aid]] because of Boko Haram's 11-year insurgency.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boko Haram |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c50znx8v435t/boko-haram |website=[[BBC News]] |access-date=18 March 2021}}</ref>