Islamic State assault in Niger leaves 41 soldiers dead

• Where and when did the attack occur? The attack took place on Saturday in the Tahoua region in southern Niger, where Islamic State fighters targeted a military post in Eknewan.
• What were the consequences of the attack? At least 41 soldiers lost their lives, and the attackers seized and destroyed military equipment. Many soldiers are missing or were taken captive.
• What actions were taken after the attack? Security forces launched a search for the missing soldiers and are attempting to recover the stolen equipment.

According to military sources cited by the Zagazola portal, the attack, which started shortly before dawn on Saturday, was particularly brutal and lasted almost three hours. During this time, the fighters took over the base, set fire to nine vehicles, and captured a large stockpile of weapons and ammunition.

At least 41 personnel from the Niger forces were killed. Several soldiers are still missing, having either fled from the battlefield or been captured by the attackers. On Sunday, security forces began searching for them and trying to recover the stolen military equipment.

The attack on Saturday occurred only eight months after a similar offensive on the same Eknewan base (September 18, 2024), during which 38 Nigerian soldiers were killed.

The Tahoua region, situated near the border with Nigeria, is one of the most unstable areas in Niger. It is frequently targeted by armed groups linked to the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda. The lack of military cooperation between Niger and Nigeria, exacerbated by personal animosity between Niger's President Abdourahmane Tiani and Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu, further worsens the situation.

Following a coup in 2023 that brought Tiani to power, Niger left the regional ECOWAS bloc and, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, formed the Sahel States Alliance. This decision was in response to ECOWAS intervention attempts aiming to restore the ousted president Mohamed Bazoum to power.