A Nigerien military base near the Mali border was the site of a devastating attack on Saturday, leaving at least 46 soldiers dead, with several others missing or believed to be taken hostage.
The assault, attributed to militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), occurred in Iknewane, Tilia Department, within Niger’s Tahoua Region.
Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama reported that the attackers launched a well-coordinated offensive against the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (SDF), catching them by surprise.
Security sources revealed that the assailants, equipped with heavy weaponry, overwhelmed the base, destroying or seizing nine of the 16 military vehicles stationed there. The militants also looted weapons and ammunition before retreating.
Amid the chaos, a dozen soldiers were reportedly taken hostage, while others remain unaccounted for. Some troops managed to flee on foot and were later rescued, according to local sources.
In response to the attack, a military convoy comprising around 20 vehicles from the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and the National Guard (GNN) has been dispatched from Tahoua to reinforce security and track down the attackers.
This is not the first time the Iknewane base has been targeted. A similar assault by EIGS militants on September 18, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least 24 soldiers, according to official reports.
The Tahoua Region, particularly areas along the Mali border, has seen a surge in extremist violence. The Nigerien government continues to grapple with persistent security threats as armed groups launch frequent attacks against both military and civilian targets.
Be the first to comment