Niger’s military reported clashes with suspected militants in the western Tillaberi region, bordering Burkina Faso.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, resulted in the deaths of seven soldiers and “several dozen terrorists,” according to a statement read by the defense ministry on state television.
Two civilians were also wounded in the fighting.
Officials claim the “terrorists” were “neutralized” and their vehicles destroyed.
The statement further emphasized the “unwavering determination” of the military to combat the ongoing terrorist threat.
This violence highlights the ongoing instability in the “three borders” region, a vast area where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge.
Despite a significant deployment of anti-insurgency forces, the region has witnessed persistent attacks by militants linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group for years.
Just last August, seventeen Nigerien soldiers died in a similar ambush within the same area.
The current military regime in Niger, established through a July coup, cited the deteriorating security situation as a key justification for taking power.
However, the country faces challenges not only in the west, but also in the southeast near Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its offshoot, ISWAP, continue to conduct violence.
