Niger’s Defense and Security Forces have killed at least 34 terrorists in two separate operations in the western regions of Dosso and Tillabery over the past week.
According to the Army’s weekly bulletin aired over the week-end, the first confrontation occurred on Wednesday near Doubalma, where around 50 armed terrorists on motorcycles ambushed a patrol unit from Soukoukoutane. With the aid of air support, Nigerien forces repelled the attackers, killing at least 22 and injuring many others.
However, seven soldiers were killed and two wounded in the encounter, while some militants managed to flee toward the Malian border.
A second joint air-land operation was launched on Friday near Mangaize in the Tillabery region, targeting terrorists transporting stolen livestock. The operation resulted in the deaths of at least 12 militants, the destruction of six motorcycles, and the full recovery of the stolen animals. These operations underscore the ongoing security challenges Niger faces in its border regions and the military’s active efforts to combat armed groups destabilizing the area.