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Not less than 46 troopers of the Nigerien Protection and Safety Forces (SDF) have been killed on Saturday in a coordinated assault by Islamic State within the Larger Sahara (EIGS) militants close to the Mali border in Iknewane, Tilia Division, Tahoua Area.
Safety sources described the assault as a large-scale, extremely intense operation that caught the army off guard. The attackers, who have been closely armed and in giant numbers, overran the SDF base, destroying or seizing 9 out of 16 army autos and looting weapons and ammunition.
Hostages Taken as Troopers Go Lacking
Stories point out that at the least a dozen troopers have been taken hostage, whereas a number of others stay lacking. Some troopers managed to flee on foot and have been later rescued by safety forces.
In response, the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and the Nationwide Guard (GNN) have deployed a army convoy of about 20 autos from Tahoua to launch counter-operations within the space.
Rising Insecurity in Niger’s Border Areas
This isn’t the primary assault on the Iknewane army place. On September 18, 2024, EIGS militants carried out the same assault, killing at the least 24 troopers, in keeping with official reviews.
The Tahoua Area, significantly areas bordering Mali, has witnessed a surge in militant violence, with armed teams repeatedly concentrating on army and civilian populations. The Nigerien authorities continues to face escalating safety challenges as jihadist insurgents exploit porous borders to hold out lethal assaults.
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