NIAMEY, May 28 (AGCNewsNet) — At least several Nigerien soldiers were killed in a deadly assault on a military post in the country’s western region, an incident claimed by the Islamic State group, a local source told AFP on Tuesday.

The attack occurred on Sunday, targeting the Eknewan military position near the volatile tri-border region where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge — an area long plagued by jihadist violence linked to both the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.

“There were deaths among the defence and security forces,” said a local source who requested anonymity, without disclosing specific casualty figures. However, the Islamic State group, in a statement released Monday, claimed responsibility and alleged it had killed around 40 members of Niger’s security forces — a figure that has not been independently verified.

Since a military coup in July 2023 brought General Abdourahamane Tiani to power, Niger’s transitional authorities have released limited information about jihadist incidents, especially those in the troubled western regions.

The state-run newspaper Le Sahel reported that General Tiani appointed a new governor for the Tahoua region, where the attack took place, on Monday — a move seen as part of broader security restructuring efforts in response to growing threats.

In recent weeks, Niger has hosted joint military exercises with allies in the Alliance of Sahel States — including Mali and Burkina Faso, also under military rule — as well as Chad and Togo, according to national broadcaster Télé Sahel. The drills underscore efforts to strengthen regional security cooperation in the face of escalating insurgent threats.

Following the July coup, Niger has pivoted away from traditional Western alliances. It expelled both French and U.S. troops and, in March, took full control of a U.S.-built drone base in the country’s north.

The latest attack highlights the deteriorating security landscape across the Sahel, where jihadist insurgencies continue to challenge fragile governments and military regimes.

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Source: AFP