Clashes Near Burkina Faso Border Leave 15 Niger Soldiers, 21 Terrorists Dead

At least 15 soldiers were killed on Monday during combat with armed terrorist groups near the border with Burkina Faso. This is according to a report by Niger’s defence ministry on Tuesday. The clash occurred along the Bankilare-Tera route near the village of Foneko.

According to a communique read on state television, the ministry provided a preliminary toll of 15 dead soldiers, with three soldiers missing and 16 others injured and hospitalised. Additionally, 21 terrorists were killed in the clashes in the western region of Tillaberi.

The defence ministry stated that reinforcements from Tera intervened promptly, forcing the armed groups to retreat north. This attack marks nearly a year since a military coup that was justified by the deteriorating security situation in Niger. Over the past 12 months, armed groups, including those linked to Islamic State and Al-Qaeda, have continued to carry out attacks in the Tillaberi region.

The region has seen a surge in violence, including an attack four weeks ago that killed 20 soldiers and one civilian. In response, the army claimed to have killed more than 100 terrorists. Earlier this month, seven civilians were killed in the nearby village of Dosso Kouregou.

Despite a significant deployment of troops and promises by the junta to quadruple military numbers by 2030, civilians have also suffered from the ongoing unrest. Accurate victim tolls remain difficult to ascertain due to the lack of independent data.

Read more: Don’t Protest Hardship, Bad Governance, Wait For Government’s Response – Tinubu To Nigerians

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