At least 29 soldiers have been killed in an attack in western Niger, according to the country’s defence ministry.
A three-day national mourning period was declared in the country on Tuesday over the incident that involved āimprovised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles by more than a hundred terroristsā, according to a televised statement made by the ministry on Monday night.
It added that two soldiers were seriously wounded, and āseveral dozen terroristsā were also killed.
The attack occurred near the countryās border with Mali during military operations aimed at āneutralising the threat posedā by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group in the area, according to the ministry.
āCommunications from the terrorists, who were forced to withdraw, have been intercepted,ā the statement said, adding that the attackers ābenefitted from outside expertiseā, without further details.
Attacks by armed groups have plagued Africaās Sahel region for over 10 years, breaking out in northern Mali in 2012 before spreading to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.
The āthree bordersā area between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso is regularly theĀ scene of attacksĀ by fighters affiliated with ISIL and al-Qaeda.
The violence has fuelled military takeovers in all three countries, with Niger the latest to fall to aĀ coupĀ on July 26 that overthrew Mohamed Bazoum, its democratically elected president.
The latest violence comes as the countryās coup leaders indicated they were considering neighbouring Algeriaās offer to mediate talks for a transition back to civilian rule.
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