At least fifteen Nigerien soldiers were killed and sixteen others wounded in a deadly confrontation with armed militants on Monday, the country’s defense ministry announced on Tuesday.
The clash occurred between the towns of Bankilare and Tera in the volatile Tillaberi region.
The military-led government claimed a significant victory, stating that twenty-one militants were killed during the intense fighting.
However, the conflict also resulted in three soldiers going missing.
Niger has been grappling with a growing insurgency that has wreaked havoc across the Sahel region, including neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Since 2012, thousands of lives have been lost, and millions have been displaced,creating a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.
The escalating violence and the perceived inability of authorities to protect civilians have fueled political instability in the region.
Military coups have ousted elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger in recent years, as frustration mounts over the ongoing security crisis.
