Several hundred armed men launched a brutal attack Thursday on Nigerien soldiers near the Mali border, killing 34 troops.
The Defence Ministry described the assault on Banibangou as a “cowardly and barbaric” strike by mercenaries on vehicles and motorbikes.
In addition to the fatalities, 14 soldiers were wounded amid fierce clashes with the attackers, the ministry said in a statement on state television.
Nigerien forces responded swiftly, killing “dozens of terrorists” during the battle, according to the defence ministry.
Reinforcements have been deployed to Banibangou as search operations by land and air intensify to track down the militants.
Banibangou sits near the volatile tri-border region of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, plagued by Al Qaeda and Islamic State insurgents.
This area has become a hotbed for jihadist violence that has surged sharply in recent weeks, destabilising the region.
Niger also faces insurgent threats in the southeast from Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province near Lake Chad.
For two years, Niger has been under military junta rule, which expelled French and US forces deeply involved in anti-insurgent efforts.
The withdrawal of foreign troops has complicated Niger’s fight against increasingly emboldened militant groups across its borders.
As violence escalates, Niger’s security forces remain locked in a desperate battle to reclaim control and protect civilians.
