Islamic State militants strike Niger; 46 soldiers killed
On Saturday, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara militants attacked a military base in Niger, killing at least 46 soldiers.
On Saturday, a tragic attack took place at a Nigerien military base in Iknewane, near the border with Mali. Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) militants launched the attack, resulting in the death of at least 46 Nigerien defence and security forces personnel, according to reports from the Nigerien armed forces.
The attack was described as a "large-scale and very intense operation." The attackers significantly outnumbered the security defence forces (SDF) troops. As a result of the attack, nine out of 16 military vehicles were destroyed or seized, and weapons and ammunition were stolen.
Niger responds to the attack
In response to the attack, Niger's military junta dispatched a convoy of about 20 vehicles to the threatened area. Islamic State in the Greater Sahara is a local branch of IS, operating in western Niger and northeastern Mali.
ISGS is responsible for many attacks in the region, including the 2018 attack in which four American soldiers were killed. The group has also attacked Burkina Faso, near the Mali border.
Niger struggles with the activities of several terrorist groups, including Boko Haram, Islamic State-West Africa (ISIS-WA), and the Al-Qaeda-linked Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM).
