Deadly Jihadist Attacks in Niger Since Coup Claim Dozens of Soldiers’ Lives

By  Milcah  Tanimu

Niger has experienced one of the deadliest attacks by jihadists since the military coup on July 26, with reports indicating that at least 29 soldiers have lost their lives, according to the country’s defense ministry.

The defense ministry stated that the soldiers were killed using “improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles” and that a counter-offensive resulted in the deaths of “several dozen terrorists.” The attack occurred near the border with Mali.

Jihadist attacks on the army have been on the rise since the military seized power. The coup leaders cited the deteriorating security situation as a reason for overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum’s government.

France, which had 1,500 troops fighting the insurgency in Niger, plans to withdraw its forces by the end of the year under pressure from the junta. Last week, France’s ambassador to Niger left the country after being blockaded in the French embassy for several weeks on the junta’s orders.

In response to Monday night’s attack in the western Tahoua region, Niger’s military declared a three-day national mourning period. The army was conducting operations to “neutralize the threat” posed by al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group when they were attacked.

The defense ministry stated that the attackers “benefited from outside expertise,” although further details were not provided.

The recent surge in jihadist attacks in Niger has been linked to a security vacuum created when soldiers were reportedly recalled to the capital, Niamey, to guard the coup leaders. Last Thursday, hundreds of militants on motorcycles killed 12 soldiers in southwestern Niger, and last month, at least 17 soldiers were killed in another attack near the Burkina Faso border.

Jihadist and rebel violence has also escalated in neighboring Mali following the departure of French troops, with Mali now relying on the Russian mercenary group Wagner to combat the jihadists.

Last month, the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger signed a security pact pledging mutual assistance in combating militants and external threats.