The attack occurred near the village of Tassia, which is situated in the West Niger Tillaberi region, bordered by Mali and Burkina Faso. The region is unstable, since militants affiliated with the Daesh group and al-Qaeda have engaged in a violent insurgency.
A total of 21 individuals, including 20 soldiers and a civilian, were killed in an attack on security forces by a “coalition of armed terrorist groups” that occurred near the village of Tassia, the country’s state news agency reported, citing the Nigerien Defense Ministry.
The assault resulted in the injury of nine military personnel and damage to two army vehicles, the statement reportedly said.
According to the report, the vehicles and communication devices were destroyed, and several dozen terrorists were neutralized. Additionally, air and ground reinforcements were deployed to locate and eliminate the remaining assailants.
The Nigerien authorities have declared three days of national mourning, commencing on Wednesday, during which flags will be lowered to half-mast in remembrance of the deceased servicemen.
The country’s Tillabery region, located in the western part, is the subject of recurring attacks by terrorist groups, endangering public order and the security of the population, the state news agency noted. A state of security emergency has been declared since 2017.
This report by Martha Yiling was adapted by rnn,org,ng from https://en.sputniknews.africa/20240626/terrorist-attack-in-west-niger-results-in-21-deaths-three-day-national-mourning-declared-1067245013.html