Niger: Iswap claims attacks near the Nigerian border

The attacks claimed by Iswap took place in the Diffa region, on the border with Nigeria, on May 3, 2020. AFP PHOTO / PIUS UTOMI EKPEI

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Clashes have occurred in southern Niger between the armed forces and Iswap, the branch of Boko Haram affiliated to ISIS. This happened on Sunday May 3, but the action was claimed this Wednesday May 6 by Iswap, which claims to have killed five soldiers. Nigerian authorities last night delivered their version of these clashes, leaving at least two dead on the military side and three wounded.  

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It's a short two-minute video released by the West African branch of ISIS. In particular, we see several armed men attacking what appears to be a military post. However, it is impossible to date or locate these images with precision. Insurgents seize vehicles and ammunition stocks.

The Nigerian Ministry of Defense specifies that two attacks occurred on Sunday. One at midday: the army claims to have intercepted " a column of vehicles from Tumbun Fulani ", a locality located 24km north-east of Bosso. The second attack occurred around 5:45 p.m. at the border crossing with Nigeria. The Nigerian Ministry of Defense deplores two deaths, but claims that 50 people have been "neutralized" in the Nigerian village of Dumba'a.

" We could hear exchanges of heavy fire: it was like an orchestra that lasted two hours, " says a resident of Diffa, little surprised by this attack: at this time of year, the Komadougou Yobé river is dry, and jihadists, often from neighboring Nigeria, cross it to ransom residents or attack army positions. 

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