Clashes along the border between Libya and Niger have resulted in the deaths of three soldiers from the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by the eastern military leader Khalifa Haftar. Reports indicate that the soldiers were killed during a series of coordinated attacks attributed to mercenary groups and armed gangs. The LNA expressed its sorrow over the casualties, labeling the actions of the attackers as “cowardly.”
The attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 31, when three checkpoints situated along the contentious border were targeted simultaneously. In addition to the fatalities, several other troops sustained injuries, and some were reported missing. The LNA has vowed to locate and rescue those captured from the “gangs that fled to Niger.”
The area bordering Niger has seen a notable uptick in assaults against Haftar’s forces in recent months. Despite frequent attacks, the LNA typically manages to fend off infiltrators. However, social media platforms have circulated unverified footage showing individuals in military attire, identifying themselves as “fighters and revolutionaries from the south,” who claim control over one of the border posts.
The ongoing conflict in Libya is marked by a division between a United Nations-recognized government operating from the capital, Tripoli, and an eastern-based administration aligned with Haftar. This rift has contributed to a volatile security situation, with both sides engaging in sporadic clashes as they vie for control over various regions of the country.
