23 Niger Republic soldiers killed in terrorist ambush

Niger Republic reported that 23 of its soldiers were killed in a "terrorist" ambush near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali in a region prone to jihadist attacks.

The country is currently under military rule following a coup in July, justified by citing deteriorating security conditions. However, jihadist violence has persisted for eight years.

The recent incident involved Nigerien soldiers conducting a security operation in Tillaberi, located in the three-border area. The defence ministry stated that the soldiers were killed during a "complex ambush" by about 30 terrorists, with around 100 attackers using homemade bombs and suicide vehicles.

The army's operations aimed to reassure local communities targeted by armed groups involved in crimes like murder, extortion, and cattle theft.

Despite a significant deployment of anti-jihadist forces since 2017, groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda and Islamic State continue to operate in Tillaberi. In January, 22 civilians were killed in an attack on the village of Motogatta in Tillaberi.

Niger, one of the world's poorest countries, had been a key ally of the West in combating jihadists in the Sahel region. However, since the military takeover, relations with Western powers, including France and the United States, have shifted, with Niger opting to engage more closely with Russia.

The military recently announced the termination of a 2012 agreement with the US, which included hosting American forces and a drone base in northern Niger. This decision raised questions about ongoing military cooperation between Niger and the US.

Separately, 16 Nigerian Army personnel from the 181 Amphibious Battalion were ambushed and killed in Delta State while on a peacekeeping mission to address community clashes in Bomadi Local Government.