The Islamic State claimed responsibility on Saturday for an attack on Niger’s army, alleging that it resulted in the deaths of 30 soldiers on Wednesday.
According to a statement issued by the group through its AMAQ news agency and shared on its Telegram channel, the soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush on a convoy near the town of Teguey in the Tillaberi region of the country.
In response, Niger’s defense ministry reported late on Thursday that 23 soldiers had been killed in the attack, with an additional 17 wounded.
The ministry also stated that around 30 attackers had been killed during the incident.
Niger is among several West African nations grappling with an Islamist insurgency that has emanated from Mali over the past 12 years.
This insurgency has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people across the region.
Frustrations over the government’s inability to protect civilians have led to military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger since 2020.
Consequently, the ruling juntas have severed ties with Western allies involved in local military efforts, expelling French and other European forces and seeking assistance from Russia instead.
In a recent development, Niger’s junta announced the immediate revocation of a military agreement that permitted military personnel and civilian staff from the U.S. Department of Defense to operate within its borders.
