Four soldiers and 63 jihadists have been killed in fighting between Niger’s army and heavily armed extremists in the nation’s west, the government said Friday.
Extremists on motorcycles fought the army Thursday in the Tillaberi region near the border with Mali before being forced to flee, according to a defence ministry statement. The army was able to recover dozens of weapons and motorcycles, it said.
Since December, at least 174 soldiers have been killed in Niger in several attacks. At least two were claimed by fighters linked to the Islamic State group.
- Airbus to supply 150 jets to Malaysia’s AirAsia in multibillion-dollar deal
- Mexico City nightclub charges Americans $300 cover: ‘This is a political stance’
- Hantavirus strain can spread via humans, WHO says as 62 more feared exposed
- China calls for ‘comprehensive ceasefire’ as U.S.-Iran war drags on
Get daily National news
Extremism has grown in West Africa’s Sahel region south of the Sahara Desert, with attacks increasing near the borders of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, where many jihadists linked to al-Qaida or IS operate.
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.