Thousands of Cameroonian youths are showing their support for their military by marching through the capital of Yaounde as attacks from neighboring Nigerian extremists continue Saturday, the Associated Press via Yahoo News reports.

"This march symbolizes Cameroon's unity against Boko Haram," the country's Labour Minister Gregoire Owona told marchers in Yaounde.

Boko Haram, an Islamic group of rebels, has crossed over the Nigeria border and attacked towns in northern Cameroon. About 200 soldiers from Cameroon have been killed in the battles, according to Cameroonian journalists and demonstration organizers.

Demonstrators have marched through Yaounde carrying Cameroon and Chad flags. Cameroon and Chad are two countries that have sent troops to help the Nigerian army fight Boko Haram.

"It was important to be here for me, for my brothers who are on the front, for my country," marcher Philomene Ekombo said with a Cameroonian flag in hand.

The march and demonstrations are intended to show solidarity to the millions of people suffering in Nigeria and the countries surrounding Nigera because of the violence from Boko Haram, according to Guibal Gatama, a journalist and the event's main organizer.

"It was very important for Cameroonians to come out as a sign of solidarity for the 150,000 internally displaced people, for the 200,000 Nigerian refugees and the 170 schools that have been closed," Gatama said to the AP. "I am optimistic that the military will be galvanized and I am sure Boko Haram has got the message that the people are united against them."

Journalist Ndi Eugene Ndi said the march was also organized to discourage Cameroonian youths from joining Boko Haram.

Many protesters are calling for the death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, Al Arabiya News reported.

Through six years of insurgency, Boko Haram has left 13,000 dead and forced over a million to be displayed from their homes. Battles and violence have often extended into neighboring countries.

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