At least 21 Nigerien soldiers were killed on Friday after suspected fighters of the Islamic State attacked a military position at Dankassari, located between Doutchi and Yaya in Dosso Region, security and local sources told Zagazola Makama.

The coordinated assault, which occurred on July 31, targeted a forward position of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (FDS), with the attackers reportedly overrunning the base after intense fighting.

Security sources said the consolidated casualty figure stood at 21 soldiers killed. The number of wounded or missing personnel was not immediately available.

The attack came on the same day that another deadly assault struck the town of N’Guigmi in Diffa Region, where 17 members of the FDS, including an officer, were killed in a separate attack attributed to the Islamic State.

The two incidents bring the total number of Nigerien security personnel killed in terrorist attacks on July 31 alone to 38, underscoring the growing operational tempo of extremist groups across the country.

The latest attacks highlight the persistent security challenges facing Niger despite ongoing military operations against jihadist groups operating in the Tillabéri, Dosso, Diffa and Tahoua regions.

According to data compiled by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), at least 5,828 people, including more than 2,000 members of the Defence and Security Forces, have been killed in terrorism-related violence in Niger since the military takeover of July 26, 2023.

As of the time of filing this report, the Nigerien authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the Dankassari attack or confirm the casualty figures. (Zagazola)

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