By Adesina Soyooye
A yet-to-be confirmed report says about 38 Nigerien soldiers were killed in two separate attacks by suspected Islamic State fighters on military positions in Niger.
The sad incident was made public by security analyst Zagazola Makama.
The bloody attack, according to the report, happened on Friday as suspected Islamic State fighters launched what a source described as coordinated assault on a military position at Dankassari, located between Doutchi and Yaya in Dosso Region.
According to Makama’s report, the IS fighters overran the forward operating base of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces, FDS, during the intense fight.
He added that, at least ,21 soldiers were killed. A lot more he disclosed were either injured or missing.
He reported: “The consolidated casualty figure stood at 21 soldiers killed. The number of wounded or missing personnel was not immediately available.
The attack took place only hours after another fatal assault on N’Guigmi in Diffa Region. In this assault, 17 members of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces, including an officer, were allegedly killed by suspected IS fighters.
The two incidents account for the death toll of 38 security personnel on July 31.
Makama noted that the attacks underscore the persistent security challenges confronting Niger despite ongoing military operations targeting extremist groups operating in the Tillabéri, Dosso, Diffa and Tahoua regions.
The report also cited data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, ACLED, showing that at least 5,828 people, including more than 2,000 members of the country’s Defence and Security Forces, have been killed in terrorism-related violence since the military takeover on July 26, 2023.
Niger Republic is Nigeria’s neighbour.
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