More than 50 members of Niger’s security forces killed in attacks

In the Sahel nation of Niger, over 50 members of the security forces have perished in two separate attacks carried out by terrorists, according to two security sources. The first attack occurred on Wednesday when a gendarme convoy was ambushed near the town of Abala-Filingué. A second attack on Saturday in Birni-N’Konni resulted in the deaths of more than 30 soldiers.

Both incidents were claimed by the West African affiliate of the Islamic State, known as Islamic State Sahel Province. This affiliate issued two statements on Sunday, attributing responsibility for the attacks. In January, the group targeted a civilian airport and military airbase in Niamey, the capital, drawing attention to the ongoing struggle of the military-led government against insurgent groups.

The government took power in a coup in 2023. Recently, mutinous soldiers attacked the airport and the presidency, leading to a standoff with government forces backed by troops from Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force. Analysts and security sources attribute growing frustration among frontline army units to repeated losses against insurgents, particularly in western Niger.