![Attacks by hardliner groups in Africa's Sahel region regularly target Nigerien security forces [File: AFP]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Niger-military.webp)
Niger has declared three days of national mourning following an attack near Mali that resulted in the deaths of at least 29 soldiers, according to the country’s defense ministry. The incident involved the use of improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles by over a hundred suspected terrorists. The attack took place during military operations aimed at neutralizing the threat posed by the ISIS armed group in the region.
The defense ministry stated that two soldiers were seriously wounded in the attack, while several dozen terrorists were also killed. The assailants, who were forced to withdraw, were found to have received outside expertise, although no further details were provided.
The Sahel region of Africa has been plagued by attacks from armed groups for over a decade. The violence initially erupted in northern Mali in 2012 and subsequently spread to neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015. The area known as the “three borders” region, where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge, has been a frequent target of attacks by fighters affiliated with ISIS and al-Qaeda.
The ongoing violence has led to military takeovers in all three countries. Niger experienced a coup on July 26, which ousted its democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The coup leaders are now considering Algeria’s offer to mediate talks for a transition back to civilian rule.
In response to the attack and the loss of soldiers, the Nigerien government has declared a three-day national mourning period. This period of mourning serves as a time for the nation to grieve and pay respects to the fallen soldiers who sacrificed their lives in service to their country.
The attack near Mali highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by Niger and its neighboring countries in the Sahel region. Efforts to combat terrorism and restore stability in the area remain a top priority for the affected nations and their international partners.
The government of Niger, along with its regional and international allies, continues to work towards finding lasting solutions to the security crisis in the Sahel. The support and cooperation of neighboring countries, as well as the international community, are crucial in addressing the root causes of the violence and ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future for the region.