At Least 12 Soldiers Killed in Recent Niger Attacks

A series of attacks in military-run Niger has resulted in the deaths of at least 12 soldiers and injuries to 30 others, VOA reported on Thursday citing the army.

The first incident occurred in the Tillaberi region, where five soldiers were killed by a large group of attackers on Sunday. Ground and air responses reportedly killed over 100 assailants.

On Monday, five soldiers were killed by an improvised explosive device in the Diffa region, known for Boko Haram activity. The latest attack, attributed to the newly formed Patriotic Movement for Freedom and Justice (MPLJ), targeted a military outpost in Agadez, killing two soldiers. The MPLJ claimed to have killed 14 soldiers and two gendarmes in this operation.

Since the coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023, violence has escalated, with approximately 1,500 casualties reported over the past year.