Several soldiers lost their lives in an attack on a military post in western Niger, confirmed a local source to AFP. This offensive, claimed by the Islamic State group, underscores the ongoing security challenges in the tri-border region shared by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, an area notorious for being a stronghold for jihadist factions affiliated with both the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.
According to reports, the attack occurred two days ago, specifically on Sunday, targeting the Eknewan military position. Details regarding the number of casualties among the defense and security forces remain sparse, with the local source opting to remain anonymous. However, the Islamic State group later asserted responsibility for the assault in a statement, claiming to have killed approximately 40 Nigerien soldiers, a figure that remains unverified by independent sources.
Niger’s military junta, which seized power in a coup in July 2023, has been reticent in disclosing information surrounding jihadist attacks, particularly in the troubled tri-border area. A recent report from the state-owned daily Le Sahel noted that General Abdourahamane Tiani, the leader of the junta, appointed a new governor for the Tahoua region, where the attack took place.
In the weeks leading up to the assault, the region had been the site of military exercises involving the armed forces of the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, alongside troops from Chad and Togo. The junta, in its tenure, has sought to strengthen ties with Burkina Faso and Mali, both also overseen by military authorities.
Moreover, the Nigerien government has taken drastic measures by expelling French and U.S. troops who were part of the broader effort to combat jihadism in the Sahel. The strategic withdrawal included the transfer of a U.S. drone base in northern Niger back to the Nigerien forces in March 2022, reflecting a shift in military alliances and a growing inclination toward regional self-reliance in addressing security threats.
