Niger reported that 23 of its soldiers were killed in a "terrorist" ambush near the borders with Burkina Faso and Mali, in a western region known for jihadist attacks.
The country is under military rule following a coup in July, with the military citing deteriorating security as a reason for seizing power. However, jihadist violence, ongoing for eight years, has persisted.
In the recent incident, Nigerien soldiers were conducting a security sweep in Tillaberi, in the three borders area, on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the defence ministry's late Thursday statement.
The soldiers were killed in a "complex ambush," with the ministry stating that "about 30 terrorists had been neutralised" during the operation.
The military operation aimed to reassure local residents targeted by armed groups involved in "murders, extortion, and cattle rustling," the ministry noted. More than 100 "terrorists" attacked the army unit between Teguey and Bankilare using "home-made bombs and suicide vehicles," resulting in 23 soldiers killed and 17 wounded.
