Seventeen Troops Killed In New Niger Attack
Sumaira FH Published August 16, 2023 | 04:30 PM
Niamey, Niger, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Aug, 2023 ) :Seventeen troops died in a militants ambush in Niger, the government said, in a reminder of the nation's deep security crisis as its military rulers face off against neighbours determined to reverse last month's coup.
An army detachment was "the victim of a terrorist ambush near the town of Koutougou" in the Tillaberi region near Burkina Faso on Tuesday, said a defence ministry statement published later that day.
It added that another 20 soldiers had been wounded, six seriously, with all the casualties evacuated to the capital Niamey.
More than 100 assailants, who were travelling on motorbikes, were "neutralised" during their retreat, the army said.
A jihadist insurgency has plagued Africa's Sahel region for more than a decade, breaking out in northern Mali in 2012 before spreading to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.
The so-called "three borders" area between the three countries is regularly the scene of attacks by rebels affiliated with the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.
The unrest across the region has killed thousands of troops, police officers and civilians and forced millions to flee their homes.
Anger at the bloodshed has fuelled military coups in all three countries since 2020, with Niger the latest to fall when its elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, was ousted on July 26.
Alarmed by the cascade of takeovers, the West African bloc ECOWAS has warned of possible military intervention to reinstall Bazoum, who is being detained in the presidential compound in Niamey.
Military chiefs of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are to meet in Ghana on Thursday and Friday to follow through a decision by their leaders last week to deploy a "standby force to restore constitutional order" in Niger.
Analysts say an intervention would be militarily and politically risky, and the bloc has declared that it prefers a diplomatic outcome.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Pakistan name 18-player squad for Ireland and England
Joint exercise of Pakistan Navy, US Navy held in Karachi
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 2 May 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 02 May 2024
Dubai Police Marks International Workers' Day with 'Talabat' Riders
Sharjah Ruler inaugurates 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival
Parineeti Chopra opens up about her decision to marry politician Raghav Chadha
PCB decides to set up training camp for national team ahead of England, Ireland ..
Virat Kohli's sweet birthday wish for Anushka Sharma
Interior Minister commends Pakistan Coast Guards
Pakistan women’s squad announced for England tour
Punjab CM Maryam inaugurates initiative of field hospitals
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Experts for ending child labour
1 day ago -
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
1 day ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
4 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
4 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
4 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
5 days ago
-
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
6 days ago -
Kite Flying: From cultural festival to deadly sport
6 days ago -
PDMA predicts gusty wind, rain with thunder, hails
9 days ago -
Iranian president Raisi given guard of honour at PM House
10 days ago -
Intellectuals, writers accolades Naseer Mirza on his literary contribution
11 days ago -
Bahawalpur Adabi Sangat hosts memorable mushaira
11 days ago