NIAMEY: The Niger defence ministry on Tuesday said that at least 15 soldiers had been killed during clashes on Monday near the border with Burkina Faso.
In a statement broadcasted on state television, the ministry said that the casualties occurred when a unit of the defence and security forces engaged in combat with armed terrorist groups along the Bankilare-Tera route, close to the village of Foneko. The communique described the toll as “preliminary,” noting 15 soldiers killed, three missing, and 16 others injured and hospitalized. Additionally, the ministry reported that 21 “terrorists” were killed during the clashes in the western region of Tillaberi.
The ministry highlighted the swift response of reinforcements from Tera, which effectively compelled the armed groups to retreat towards the northern territories.
This incident marks nearly a year since a military coup in Niger, which was justified by the deteriorating security situation in the country. Despite efforts to bolster security forces and expand military presence, armed groups affiliated with Islamic State continue to carry out attacks in the Tillaberi region. Recent weeks have seen intensified violence, resulting in significant casualties on both sides.
READ ALSO: Israeli Shelling in Gaza Humanitarian Zone Kills 16, Evacuation Ordered
The unrest has not spared civilians either, as they continue to face risks amidst the ongoing conflict. However, due to limited independent verification, exact casualty figures remain unclear.
Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa, has been grappling with persistent insecurity exacerbated by regional instability and militant activity spilling over from neighboring countries.
