At least 46 soldiers from Niger’s Defense and Security Forces (SDF) were killed on Saturday in a deadly ambush by militants of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS).
According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the militants launched a large-scale attack on an SDF base in Iknewane, Tilia department, near the Mali border in Niger’s Tahoua region.
The report described the assault as a highly coordinated and intense operation that caught the military off guard.
Base Overrun, Vehicles Destroyed
The attackers, reportedly heavily armed and in large numbers, overran the base, destroying nine out of the 16 military vehicles stationed there.
Zagazola further reported that the militants looted weapons and ammunition, took at least a dozen soldiers hostage, and left several others missing.
Military Reinforcements Deployed
In response, a military convoy of about 20 vehicles from the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and another from the National Guard (GNN) have been deployed from Tahoua to conduct operations in the area.
Recurring Attacks in Tahoua Region
This is not the first time Iknewane has been targeted. On September 18, 2024, EIGS militants carried out a similar attack, resulting in the deaths of at least 24 soldiers.
The Tahoua region, especially areas bordering Mali, has experienced a surge in militant violence. The Nigerien government continues to grapple with security challenges as armed groups launch frequent attacks on both military and civilian targets.