Niger: EU condemns violence

Brussels 06.11.2021 Eleven soldiers killed on Thursday,November 4, and nine went missing after gunmen opened fire in southwest Niger. (Image: illustration)

11 soldiers dead, 9 missing after gunmen attack in Niger https://t.co/6QCL5EU1yG pic.twitter.com/Hd3XAe0dA8

— The Hill (@thehill) November 6, 2021

The soldiers were defending the rural village of Dagne, the country’s defense ministry said Friday,November 5, media reported. The gunmen appeared suddenly to the village in cars and motorcycles.

#Niger Says 11 Soldiers Killed, Nine Missing After Attack:

Eleven soldiers were killed and nine reported missing on Friday following a jihadi attack on an army position in Dagne in western Niger, days after 69 civilians died in an ambush https://t.co/cgcilCgWTv

— Lucas Webber (@LucasADWebber) November 5, 2021

No group has taken responsibility for the attack yet. The area has faced several attacks this year from militants of the local affiliate of the Islamic State terrorist group.

An NGO group tracking political violence, said more than 530 civilians have been killed by the Islamic State in Niger this year, five times more than last year.

Another attack in southwest Niger occurred the same day, with gunmen killing 69 people, including a mayor.

I firmly condemn the latest wave of violence in Tillaberi, #Niger, which resulted in more than 60 people dead. Increasing reliance on self-defence groups is not a solution.

All parties must respect #IHL, including preserving the work of humanitarians.https://t.co/GNqTpoTbmh

— Janez Lenarčič (@JanezLenarcic) November 5, 2021

No group claimed responsibility yet for that attack either. Authorities found 15 people alive and started a search operation in hope for other survivors.

#Niger: Authorities confirm the death of 69 people including the Banibangou mayor in an ambush near Adabdab, #Tillaberi, declares 48 hours of national mourning https://t.co/tML61psxXm

— MENASTREAM (@MENASTREAM) November 4, 2021