Deadly Raid by Jihadists Claims Lives of Dozen Soldiers in Niger's Most Fatal Attack Following Coup

The deadliest attack in Niger since the military coup in July has claimed the lives of at least 29 soldiers. According to the defence ministry, hundreds of jihadists used improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles in the attack. The ministry also reported that several dozen terrorists were killed in the counter-offensive near the Mali border. Ever since the military took over, there has been a rise in jihadist attacks on the army. The coup leaders justified their actions by claiming that the security situation under President Mohamed Bazoum was deteriorating. As a result, France is withdrawing its 1,500 troops from Niger, bowing to pressure from the junta. The French forces have been engaged in fighting the insurgency that originated in Mali back in 2015. In a related incident, France's ambassador left Niger last week after being blockaded in the French embassy for several weeks on the orders of the junta. Niger has declared a three-day national mourning period following the attack in the western Tahoua region. The defence ministry stated that the army was carrying out operations to neutralize the threat posed by al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS) group when the troops were attacked. The ministry also mentioned that the terrorists, who eventually retreated, were receiving assistance from outside sources. The recent increase in jihadist attacks can be attributed to a security vacuum created after soldiers were reportedly recalled to the capital, Niamey, to safeguard the coup leaders. Just last week, militants on motorbikes killed 12 soldiers in south-western Niger. In another attack near the Burkina Faso border, 17 soldiers lost their lives last month. There has also been a surge in jihadist and rebel violence in Mali, with the departure of French troops and the winding down of UN operations, at the junta's request. Mali is now relying on the Russian mercenary group Wagner to combat the jihadists. And, last month, the military leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger signed a security pact, committing to assist each other in fighting militants and external aggression.