Politics
08:02, 06-Oct-2017
Joint military operations by Niger, US, France conducted in Niger
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Joint military operations by Niger, the US and France were conducted on Thursday near the Nigerien border with Mali, a day after an attack by unidentified assailants which killed eight soldiers – three American and five Nigerien, security sources said.
The attack also left two other US soldiers wounded.
It took place during a routine patrol in a part of southwestern Niger, a region known to be infested by Islamist militant groups.
Mali's defense ministry confirmed that military operations were conducted within Niger, and that Malian forces had reinforced their checkpoints along the border.
A file photo shows a French military training instructor conducting basic weapon safety training with Nigerian troops in northeastern Niger, March 2, 2014. /US Army Photo
A file photo shows a French military training instructor conducting basic weapon safety training with Nigerian troops in northeastern Niger, March 2, 2014. /US Army Photo
The attackers are reported to have come from Mali.
Islamist troops form part of a growing insurgency in the sparsely populated deserts of West Africa's Sahel.
They have often attacked UN peacekeepers, Malian soldiers as well as civilians.
The wounded US soldiers from Wednesday's attack were evacuated to the Nigerien capital, Niamey, and would be flown to Germany. Health officials said they are in stable condition.
11025km