Niger: 29 Soldiers Killed in Attack Near Mali Border

The Niger Ministry of Defense stated today, Tuesday, that "at least 29 soldiers were killed in an attack by armed insurgents near the country's border with Mali." The ministry reported in a statement: "The initial toll of the attack is as follows: 29 soldiers fell in battle, and two were injured," noting that dozens of attackers were killed. It added: "The soldiers were returning from operations against extremists when they were targeted by more than 100 attackers in vehicles and on motorcycles, using explosive devices and suicide bombers." The statement mentioned an "announcement of a national mourning period for three days." This attack is among the deadliest since the military took power in a coup in July. Additionally, the military council in Niger denied accepting Algeria's mediation to resolve the political crisis in the country, despite Algeria declaring on Monday that it received formal notification of Niger's acceptance of its mediation.