Latest news with #BoureimaBalima
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
About 10 Niger soldiers killed in attack in the south, authorities say
NIAMEY (Reuters) - About 10 soldiers were killed and seven injured in an attack in Niger's Dosso region this week, authorities said in a statement broadcast on state radio, while a security source told Reuters the death toll could be higher. The statement attributed Monday's ambush in southern Niger to "terrorists" and said several of the assailants had been killed and others arrested. Alongside its Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger is battling an insurgency by jihadist groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State. The security source said 18 soldiers were missing. Three security vehicles were also stolen, the source said. The government ordered a ban on the use of motorcycles in the affected communities, according to a directive seen by Reuters. Last month, 12 soldiers were killed and five Indian citizens kidnapped in an attack in Niger near the turbulent tri-border region with Mali and Burkina Faso. In March, authorities blamed the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, for an attack on a mosque near the tri-border area in which at least 44 civilians were killed. The governor of southern Niger's Dosso region, Colonel Major Bana Alassane, travelled to the area a day after the attack to offer condolences to the soldiers' families, the government statement said. (Reporting by Boureima Balima and Moussa Aksar; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Ros Russell)
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Twelve Niger soldiers killed in attack, two suspects detained, says army
By Boureima Balima (Reuters) - Twelve Nigerien soldiers have been killed in an attack in the west of the Sahel country and two suspects have been arrested, the army said in a statement seen by Reuters on Saturday. The attack took place on Friday near the tri-border region of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, epicentre of a jihadist insurgency in West Africa linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. Armed men on Friday launched a "surprise offensive" on a military unit out on a mission about 10 km (six miles) north of the village of Sakoira, the statement said, referring to the assailants as terrorists. It did not elaborate on the likely identity of the assailants but last month Niger blamed the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, for an attack on a mosque near the tri-border area in which at least 44 civilians were killed. The Sahel insurgency spun out of a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali in 2012 and later spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger before reaching the north of coastal West African countries such as Benin. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions displaced as militants have gained ground, attacking villages, military and police posts and army convoys. The failure of governments to restore security contributed to two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023. All three remain under military rule despite regional and international pressure to hold elections. Military authorities cut ties with traditional Western allies such as France and the U.S. after the coups and turned to Russia to help in fighting jihadist activity.
The Star
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Twelve Niger soldiers killed in attack, two suspects detained, says army
(Reuters) - Twelve Nigerien soldiers have been killed in an attack in the west of the Sahel country and two suspects have been arrested, the army said in a statement seen by Reuters on Saturday. The attack took place on Friday near the tri-border region of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali, epicentre of a jihadist insurgency in West Africa linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. Armed men on Friday launched a "surprise offensive" on a military unit out on a mission about 10 km (six miles) north of the village of Sakoira, the statement said, referring to the assailants as terrorists. It did not elaborate on the likely identity of the assailants but last month Niger blamed the EIGS group, an Islamic State affiliate, for an attack on a mosque near the tri-border area in which at least 44 civilians were killed. The Sahel insurgency spun out of a Tuareg rebellion in northern Mali in 2012 and later spread into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger before reaching the north of coastal West African countries such as Benin. Hundreds of thousands have been killed and millions displaced as militants have gained ground, attacking villages, military and police posts and army convoys. The failure of governments to restore security contributed to two coups in Mali, two in Burkina Faso and one in Niger between 2020 and 2023. All three remain under military rule despite regional and international pressure to hold elections. Military authorities cut ties with traditional Western allies such as France and the U.S. after the coups and turned to Russia to help in fighting jihadist activity. (Reporting by Boureima Balima; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Gareth Jones)
