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At least 46 soldiers of the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (SDF) were killed in a brutal attack by Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) militants on Saturday.
The heavily armed insurgents stormed an SDF base in Iknewane, Tilia Department, near the Malian border, catching troops off guard. Reports indicate the assailants seized or destroyed nine out of the 16 military vehicles at the base and looted weapons and ammunition.
Several soldiers remain missing, with at least a dozen reportedly taken hostage. Survivors who fled on foot were later rescued.
In response, Niger’s Armed Forces (FAN) and National Guard (GNN) deployed reinforcements from Tahoua to secure the area.
This marks the second major attack on Iknewane in recent months—on September 18, EIGS militants killed at least 24 soldiers in a similar assault.
The Tahoua Region remains a hotspot for militant violence, with border security increasingly strained by insurgent activities.
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