An estimated 200 gunmen on motorbikes launched a fierce attack on a Niger army base located near the Mali border, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 soldiers, as confirmed by the country’s defense ministry. The assailants, referred to as “mercenaries” by officials, targeted the base in Banibangou on Thursday, also wounding 14 additional soldiers. The defense ministry reported that Niger’s forces managed to eliminate “dozens of terrorists” during the confrontation.
This incident reflects the ongoing struggles of Niger’s military to combat the persistent jihadist insurgency, which has been a significant factor in the government’s justification for the ousting of democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum earlier this year.
In a statement broadcast on state television, the ministry condemned the attack, describing it as a “cowardly and barbaric assault” carried out by a large number of hostile combatants using eight vehicles and over 200 motorbikes. Following the assault, troops were deployed to conduct search operations in the area in an effort to locate the attackers.
Banibangou is situated near the strategic tri-border region that connects Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, an area frequently targeted by jihadist groups. In response to rising militant threats, Niger’s ruling junta has expelled French and U.S. military forces that had previously supported counterterrorism efforts. The security situation remains precarious in West Africa, where Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali are increasingly collaborating to address the insurgency while simultaneously reducing their dependence on Western support, opting instead for alliances with Russia and Turkey. Despite these efforts, the violence continues unabated.