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A devastating Militant Attack in Niger by militants of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) has left at least 46 soldiers of the Nigerien defense and security forces (SDF) dead. The attack, which occurred on Sunday, targeted an SDF position in Iknewane, Tilia department, near the Mali border in Niger’s Tahoua region.
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the attack was a large-scale and highly intense coordinated operation that caught the military by surprise.
The attackers, who were heavily armed and in large numbers, overran the base and destroyed nine of the 16 military vehicles stationed there. They also looted weapons and ammunition, took a dozen soldiers hostage, and left several others missing.
Previous Instances of Militant Attacks in Niger
This is not the first time the Iknewane position has been attacked. On September 18, 2024, EIGS militants carried out a similar attack, killing at least 24 soldiers. The Tahoua region, particularly areas bordering Mali, has seen a rise in militant violence, posing significant security challenges to the Nigerien government. The recent Militant Attack in Niger highlights these ongoing concerns.
In response to the attack, a military convoy of about 20 vehicles from the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and another from the National Guard (GNN) have been deployed from Tahoua to conduct operations in the area.
The Nigerien government is under pressure to address the deteriorating security situation in the region, which has also affected neighboring countries, including Nigeria, where Boko Haram and ISWAP militants recently killed at least 22 soldiers. This latest Militant Attack in Niger further complicates efforts to stabilize the region. The need for a comprehensive security strategy in the face of a Militant Attack in Niger is more pressing than ever.
