It has been suggested that this article be merged into List of terrorist incidents in Niger. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2024. |
On March 21, 2024, militants from the Islamic State – Sahil Province (ISGS) ambushed Nigerien soldiers between the towns of Teguey and Bankilare, Tillabéri Region, Niger killing at least 23 soldiers.
Teguey attack | |||||||
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Part of Jihadist insurgency in Niger | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
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Strength | |||||||
Unknown | 100+ | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
23 killed, 17 wounded (per Niger) 30 killed, dozens wounded, 8 vehicles destroyed (per ISGS) | 30 killed (per Niger) |
Background
editIn July 2023, disgruntled officers overthrew Nigerien president Mohamed Bazoum in a coup, claiming that Bazoum's government was not effectively countering the insurgencies of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal-Muslimin in the western part of the country. JNIM and ISGS are most active in the tri-border area between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, the latter two having had coups that installed military juntas within the past two years.[1]
Since the coup, jihadist attacks escalated, with an attack in Koutougou in August 2023 killing 17 soldiers and an attack in Tabatol killing at least sixty Nigerien soldiers.[2]
Attack
editThe Nigerien army stated that a convoy of Nigerien troops were ambushed by jihadists in between the towns of Teguey and Bankilare during a combing operation in the area on March 21, 2024.[3] In the statement, Nigerien officials said that over 100 fighters aboard motorcycles used IEDs and suicide bombers to ambush the soldiers.[3][4]
Nigerien officials claimed 23 soldiers were killed in the attack, and 17 others were wounded. The ISGS claimed responsibility on March 23, claiming to have killed 30 soldiers and wounded dozens of others.[5][6] The Nigerien junta also claimed that 30 jihadists were killed in the attack.[3]
The government of Niger declared three days of national mourning to honour the fallen soldiers. In the capital of Niger, Niamey, a ceremony was held for the soldiers' funeral.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Nouvelle attaque jihadiste au Niger avant la médiation algérienne". Voice of America (in French). 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ Vodjo, Casimir (2023-10-03). "Niger : attaque meurtrière contre une patrouille de la garde nationale à Takanamatt". Benin Web TV (in French). Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ a b c "Au Niger, 23 militaires tués dans une embuscade tendue par des « terroristes »" (in French). 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-09-04.
- ^ "Several Nigerien soldiers killed in ambush near Burkina Faso, Mali border". France 24. 2024-03-22. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ a b "Niger mourns soldiers killed in terrorist attack". African Press Agency. 2024-03-22. Archived from the original on 2024-03-30. Retrieved 2024-03-30.
- ^ "Islamic State Claims Attack on Niger Army That Killed Dozens". Voice of America. 2024-03-23. Retrieved 2024-09-04.