Niger: 79 terrorists killed during a search operation to Malian territory

Location of Tiloa, Niger. © RFI

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2 min

In Niger, after a deadly ambush on February 10, in the west of the country, Nigerien special forces responded to the scene. Following new clashes last week with armed groups, Nigerien soldiers have engaged in a real search operation with land and air assets, up to Malian territory. 79 terrorists were neutralized and equipment recovered. Their base in Hamakat, south of Menaka, was destroyed.

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With our correspondent in Niamey, Moussa Kaka

Having lost 17 soldiers in an ambush set up by the jihadists on February 10, and having been unable to pursue them in Malian territory, the Nigerien special forces this time crossed the Malian border in a commando operation in the footsteps of the enemy.

On March 17, a search mission north of the Nigerien town of Tiloa was hung by jihadist elements. A pursuit is simultaneously initiated by the air-land forces, to Malian territory, 80 km from Menaka, in the Hamakat area. This is where those responsible for the ambush that killed the 17 Nigerien soldiers in Intagamey hid.

The toll is very heavy in the ranks of the jihadists. Seventy-nine terrorists were neutralized, a hundred motorcycles destroyed, means of communication and weapons recovered.

Nigerien security sources, intense sweeps along the border between the two countries are currently continuing.

This victory over Daesh is the result of the visit of the Chief of Staff of the Nigerien Armed Forces, General Salifou Modi, to Bamako on March 9. The right of pursuit against the enemy was discussed and obtained. "Henceforth," it is said, "there will be no respite for the enemy. He will be pursued to his last entrenchment.

All terrorist attacks in this area come from northern Mali. With this agreement, the Nigerien armed forces will do the job instead of the Malian army, absent on its southern borders with Niger.

See also Niger: Malian civilians killed by armed men not far from the Malian border

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Read on on the same topics:

• Niger
• Mali
• Terrorism