Niger security forces killed in attacks, sources say

One attack involved an ambush on a convoy of gendarmes near the town of Abala-Filingué on Wednesday last week. A separate attack in Birni-N'Konni on Saturday killed more than 30 soldiers, the sources said. The sources attributed the attacks to terrorists but provided no further details.

Analysts and security sources indicate growing frustration within frontline army units due to repeated losses to insurgents, particularly in western Niger. The Islamic State Sahel Province had previously attacked the civilian airport and military airbase in the capital, Niamey, in January, highlighting a lack of progress against insurgent groups by the military-led government that took power in a 2023 coup.