In a devastating ambush, at least 46 soldiers from the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (SDF) were killed by militants affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) on Saturday. The attack took place at the SDF outpost in Iknewane, Tilia Department, near the border with Mali.
Security sources described the assault as a “large-scale and highly intense” operation that caught the military off guard. “Heavily armed militants overran the base, destroying or seizing nine of the 16 military vehicles stationed there,” reported Zagazola Malama. The militants also made off with weapons and ammunition.
In addition to the fatalities, around a dozen soldiers were taken hostage, with several others currently unaccounted for. Some soldiers managed to escape on foot and were later rescued.
In the aftermath, the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and units from the National Guard (GNN) deployed a convoy of approximately 20 vehicles from Tahoua to secure the area and launch counter-operations.
This recent attack follows a similar incident on September 18, 2024, when EIGS militants assaulted the same Iknewane base, killing at least 24 soldiers.
The Tahoua Region, especially along the Mali border, has seen an uptick in militant activities. The Nigerien government faces ongoing security challenges in these areas, where armed groups frequently attack both military and civilian targets.