Al Qaeda-Linked Militants Kill at Least 10 Soldiers in Western Niger
Attack carried out near Garbougna village in the Tillaberi region, a known jihadist hotspot
- At least 10 Nigerien soldiers killed in JNIM attack near Garbougna, Tillaberi
- Al Qaeda-linked group claims responsibility, highlighting ongoing Sahel insurgency
- Death toll reports vary, with estimates ranging from 10 to 20 soldiers
At least 10 Nigerien soldiers were killed in an attack by militants linked to the al Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) near the village of Garbougna in the Tillaberi region, according to security sources.
The area borders Mali and Burkina Faso and is known as a hotspot for jihadist activity.
Reports on the death toll vary, with some sources citing over a dozen soldiers killed, while others mention as many as 20.
Al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the Tillaberi attack, as well as separate operations in Mali and Burkina Faso, sharing statements and photos through its Sahel media wing, Al-Zallaqa. The claim was first highlighted by the U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant communications.
Government officials in Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso were not immediately available for comment.
Niger is among several West African nations battling Islamist insurgencies originating from Mali over the past 12 years. The ongoing conflict has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions across the region.
