At least 46 soldiers of the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (SDF) were killed in an attack by militants of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) over the weekend. The attack targeted an SDF position in Iknewane, near the Mali border in Niger’s Tahoua region. The assault was described as a large-scale, coordinated operation, catching the military by surprise. The militants, heavily armed and in large numbers, overran the base, destroying nine of the 16 military vehicles stationed there. They also looted weapons and ammunition, and at least a dozen soldiers were taken hostage, while several others remain missing.
This attack is part of a troubling pattern of rising militant violence in Niger’s border regions, particularly near Mali. It follows a similar attack in September 2024, which resulted in the death of at least 24 soldiers. The Nigerien government is facing increasing challenges in securing its borders against these frequent militant assaults.
