In Niger, after a deadly ambush on February 10, in the west of the country, the Nigerien special forces responded. Following new clashes last week with armed groups, the Nigerien soldiers began a real search operation with land and air resources, as far as Malian territory. “79 terrorists” were killed, according to the Ministry of Defense. Equipment was recovered and their base in Hamakat, south of Menaka, was destroyed.
After losing 17 soldiers in an ambush by the jihadists on February 10, the Nigerien special forces were unable to pursue the attackers in Malian territory. This time, thanks to a right of pursuit granted by the Malian authorities, they were able to cross the border in a commando operation in the footsteps of the enemy.
On March 17, a search mission north of the Nigerien town of Tiloa was hit by jihadist elements. A pursuit was simultaneously engaged by the air-land forces, up to Malian territory, 80 km from Menaka, in the Hamakat area. This is where those responsible for the ambush that claimed the lives of 17 Nigerien soldiers in Intagamey were hiding.
The toll is very heavy in the ranks of the jihadists. “Seventy-nine terrorists were neutralized, more than a hundred motorcycles destroyed, several means of communication and weapons recovered”, specifies the Ministry of Defense.