29 soldiers killed in Niger, 2 injured after border terrorist attacks

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
3 Oct 2023 10:42

Niger's defense ministry confirms that while retreating from a border operation, a unit was attacked by "more than a hundred terrorists" who applied improvised explosive devices and booby-trapped vehicles.

A Nigerien National Police officer stands guard as supporters of Niger's military junta protest outside the Niger and French airbase in Niamey on August 30, 2023. (AFP)

Niger's defense ministry on Tuesday confirmed that 29 Nigerien soldiers were killed and two were injured in attacks by suspected terrorists between September 26 and October 2.

Between these days, an operation along the border with Mali was executed by Niger's defense and security forces, according to the ministry, which added that while retreating, a unit was attacked by "more than a hundred terrorists" who applied improvised explosive devices and booby-trapped vehicles.

In a statement read on Nigerien broadcaster RTN, the ministry said: "According to preliminary information, 29 soldiers died heroes on our side, and two were seriously injured. Several dozen terrorists were neutralized, 15 motorcycles were destroyed, and a large amount of weapons and ammunition was seized on the enemy side."

The last border attack to occur was back in August, which left 17 soldiers dead and 20 injured in an ambush by an insurgent ambush, according to the government.

A statement by the Nigerien Defense Ministry confirmed that an army detachment was "the victim of a terrorist ambush near the town of Koutougou" in the Tillaberi region near the border with Burkina Faso, where the two countries struggle to contain terrorist organizations and their militants from carrying out attacks against civilians and troops.

On July 26, Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani led a coup d'état in Niger, ousting and detaining ex-President Mohamed Bazoum.

France condemned the coup and reiterated its support for the "legitimate government" of Niger. The coup leaders halted gold and uranium exports to France, blocked French media, and denounced several military pacts with Paris.

In mid-August, they demanded that French forces withdraw from Niger by early September. Mass rallies have taken place in Niger since the coup, calling for the complete withdrawal of French troops from the country.