Current:Home > ContactExtremist attack kills at least 12 soldiers in Niger as jihadi violence increases post-coup -Elevate Capital Network
Extremist attack kills at least 12 soldiers in Niger as jihadi violence increases post-coup
View
Date:2025-04-28 15:21:37
NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An attack by Islamic extremists in western Niger killed at least a dozen soldiers and wounded seven others, the West African nation’s military junta said.
The soldiers were on a mission in the Tillaberi region town of Kandadji when hundreds of jihadis on motorcycles attacked them Thursday, Gen. Salifou Mody, Niger’s defense minister, said in a statement. The wounded were evacuated to military hospitals, the statement said.
The junta claimed that military personnel killed a hundred extremists and destroyed their motorcycles and weapons. The Associated Press was not able to independently verify the claim.
Niger has battled a jihadi insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group for years. Attacks have increased since mutinous soldiers toppled the country’s democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, in July.
During the month after the junta seized power, violence primarily linked to the extremists soared by more than 40%, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project. Jihadi attacks targeting civilians quadrupled in August compared with the month before, and attacks against security forces spiked in the Tillaberi region, killing at least 40 soldiers, the project reported.
Niger was seen as one of the last democratic countries in Africa’s Sahel region that Western nations could partner with to beat back the jihadi insurgency in the vast expanse below the Sahara Desert. The United States, France and other European countries poured hundreds of millions of dollars into shoring up the Nigerien military.
Amid a swell of anti-France sentiment in its former colony., French President Emmanuel Macron announced the withdrawal by the end of the year of his country’s 1,500 troops stationed in Niger. France’s ambassador to Niger, Sylvain Itte, left the country this week after a months'-long standoff with the junta, which had ordered him out.
The loss of support from France and potentially from the United States will make it hard for the junta to stave off the jihadis, conflict analysts believe.
“It’s quite predictable to witness more and more jihadi operations,” Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, said.
“There’s no more support from the French either by air or special forces,” he said. “Once Niger’s forces there lose the support of the allies, it’s very difficult to sustain and hold onto the land.”
Thursday’s attack occurred in an area where the Islamic State group is active and where French special operations forces were actively supporting Niger’s military, Nasr said.
The security vacuum left by the French has also further pit rival jihadi groups against each other, he said.
___
Mednick reported from Dakar, Senegal
veryGood! (83)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- Kansas has a new anti-DEI law, but the governor has vetoed bills on abortion and even police dogs
- White Green: Gold Market Trend Analysis for 2024
- Taylor Swift’s New PDA Video With Travis Kelce Puts Their Alchemy on Display
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Is pickle juice good for you? Here's what experts want you to know
- Tesla recalls nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks due to faulty accelerator pedal
- Kansas has a new anti-DEI law, but the governor has vetoed bills on abortion and even police dogs
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Jim Harbaugh keeps promise, gets Michigan tattoo in honor of national championship season
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- The Daily Money: What's Amazon's Just Walk Out?
- 2 teens charged in death of New York City woman whose body was found in duffel bag
- Video shows space junk after object from ISS came crashing through Florida home
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Psst! Coach Outlet Has So Many Cute Bags on Sale Right Now, and They’re All Under $100
- South Africa man convicted in deaths of 2 Alaska Native women faces revocation of U.S. citizenship
- South Africa man convicted in deaths of 2 Alaska Native women faces revocation of U.S. citizenship
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Miami Heat, New Orleans Pelicans win play-in games to claim final two spots in NBA playoffs
Oregon lodge famously featured in ‘The Shining’ will reopen to guests after fire forced evacuations
Melania Trump, long absent from campaign, will appear at a Log Cabin Republicans event in Mar-a-Lago
Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
Who will win the NBA Finals? Predictions for 2024 NBA playoffs bracket
David Pryor, former governor and senator of Arkansas, dies at age 89
U.N. official says Israel systematically impeding Gaza aid distribution