2023-10-03 12:13:48
Par Wycliffe MuiaBBC News
58 minutes ago
Image caption,
Niger security forces struggle to stem seven-year jihadist insurgency
At least 29 soldiers have been killed in Niger in the deadliest attack since the army staged a coup in July.
The soldiers were killed by hundreds of jihadists using “improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles”, the defense ministry said.
He added that “several dozen terrorists” were also killed during the counter-offensive which took place near the border with Mali.
Jihadist attacks once morest the army have increased since the military took power.
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The coup plotters said they overthrew the government of President Mohamed Bazoum as the security situation deteriorated.
France withdraws its 1,500 soldiers from Niger before the end of the year, under pressure from the junta.
French forces fought the insurgency in Niger that spilled over from Mali in 2015.
Last week, the French ambassador left Niger following being stuck in the French embassy for several weeks on orders from the junta.
The Nigerien army has declared a three-day national mourning, following the attack on Monday evening in the Tahoua region, in the west of the country.
The army was carrying out operations aimed at “neutralizing the threat” posed by Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group when the troops were attacked, the ministry said in a statement.
“The communications of the terrorists, who were forced to withdraw, were intercepted,” he added.
The attackers “benefited from external expertise,” the ministry said, without giving further details.
The recent surge in jihadist attacks in Niger has been linked to a security vacuum following soldiers were recalled to the capital, Niamey, to protect the coup plotters.
Last Thursday, hundreds of militants riding on motorcycles killed 12 soldiers in southwestern Niger.
At least 17 soldiers were killed last month in another attack near the border with Burkina Faso.
Neighboring Mali has also seen a surge in jihadist and rebel violence following the departure of French troops and the cessation of operations by the UN force at the request of the junta.
Mali now counts on the Russian mercenary group Wagner to fight the jihadists.
Last month, the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed a security pact in which they pledge to help each other fight militants or any external aggression.
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