Niamey, Sept 24. (dpa.GNA) – At least 57 security personnel were killed on Wednesday in two attacks by a Sahel branch of the Islamic State terrorist group in Niger, the Nigerien Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday.
According to the report, 38 soldiers were killed in an initial attack on the Dabagu base in the Tahoua region. The region where the attack took place is around 450 kilometres from Niger’s capital, Niamey, and not far from the Malian border. Several soldiers are still missing.
In another attack on the same day in Abala-FilinguƩ, around 250 kilometres from Niamey, 19 gendarmes were killed.
Since seizing power following a coup in 2023, the military junta has struggled to bring the long-running jihadist conflict in the country under control.
Dissatisfaction is also said to be growing within the army, over the heavy losses suffered in the fight against Islamist groups.
This led to an attempted mutiny in August, which was, however, quelled by the junta after several hours.
GNA