Insurgents Kill 17 Soldiers in Major Attack Against Niger Army Amidst Political Crisis

Insurgents Kill 17 Soldiers in Major Attack in Niger Amidst Political Crisis

NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — In a major attack against the army in Niger, insurgents killed 17 soldiers and wounded nearly 24, marking the first significant assault in six months. The attack comes at a time when Western powers are concerned about a coup by the elite presidential guard weakening Niger’s ability to combat jihadi violence in the Sahel region of West Africa.

Niger, one of the last democratic countries in the region, has been supported by France and the United States, with approximately 2,500 military personnel training Niger’s forces. However, military operations have been suspended since the coup, giving the jihadis more freedom to operate.

The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon when a military detachment was ambushed between the villages of Boni and Torodi in the Tillaberi region. The wounded soldiers were evacuated to the capital, Niamey.

Wassim Nasr, a journalist and senior research fellow at the Soufan Center, described the attack as a worrying sign of possible escalation. He believes that the Islamic State group and al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin are marking their territory due to the security void caused by the coup. Nasr emphasized that this attack should be seen in the context of the ongoing war between the two jihadi groups.

Neighboring countries are threatening military action against the coup, and supporters of the junta have announced plans to register volunteers to fight and assist with other needs. However, it remains unclear how real the possibility of regional conflict is.

The coup has resulted in the silencing and hiding of many supporters of deposed President Mohamed Bazoum. Rallies in support of Bazoum are quickly shut down by the police, and several ministers and politicians from his regime have been detained. Human rights groups have been denied access to them.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated a “standby force” to restore order in Niger. However, tensions between Niger and ECOWAS continue to deepen, with no signs of defusing the standoff. The junta initially expressed openness to dialogue with ECOWAS but later charged Bazoum with “high treason” and recalled its ambassador from Ivory Coast.

Analysts suggest that the longer the coup persists, the less likely an intervention will occur, as the junta solidifies its grip on power. This could force the international community to accept the status quo.

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that there is still room for diplomacy to return Niger to constitutional rule. The U.S. supports ECOWAS’ dialogue efforts, including its contingency plans. The arrival of the new U.S. ambassador to Niger, Kathleen FitzGibbon, is expected at the end of the week.

While regional and Western countries contemplate their response, many Nigeriens fear an imminent invasion. As one of the poorest countries in the world, Niger’s residents hope that the new regime will lead the nation towards a better future. In Niamey, locals expressed their willingness to defend the country and encouraged young people to join the army and contribute to the development of their villages.

The details of Niger’s volunteer force remain vague, but organizers claim that it will be different from similar initiatives in neighboring countries. Volunteer fighters in Burkina Faso, recruited to combat the jihadi insurgency, have been accused of committing atrocities against civilians. The Nigerien organizers emphasize that their people will fight against intrusion rather than against their own brothers.

Associated Press reporters Dalatou Mamane in Niamey and Matthew Lee in Washington, D.C. contributed to this report.

How can the international community effectively support Niger in addressing both the crackdown on freedom of expression and the treatment of political opponents?

Ps have condemned the crackdown on freedom of expression and the treatment of political opponents.

The political crisis in Niger began in February when the elite presidential guard staged a coup, ousting President Bazoum from power. The coup leaders claimed that their actions were necessary to protect the country from corruption and to ensure political stability. However, the international community has condemned the coup and called for a swift return to democracy.

The attack on the army is a grim reminder of the security challenges facing Niger. The country has long been plagued by jihadi violence, with militant groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operating in the region. The coup has further exacerbated the situation, leaving a power vacuum that extremist groups are exploiting.

The international community, particularly France and the United States, must continue to support Niger and its fight against terrorism. This includes providing military assistance and training to bolster Niger’s security forces. Additionally, efforts should be made to address the underlying political and socioeconomic issues that contribute to extremism in the region.

Niger’s stability is crucial for the entire Sahel region, which is already grappling with numerous security challenges. The ongoing political crisis and the increased jihadi activity only serve to further destabilize the region.

It is imperative that Niger’s political leaders come together to resolve the crisis through dialogue and peaceful means. The international community should also exert pressure on the coup leaders to step down and allow for a return to democracy.

The attack on the army is a stark reminder of the consequences of political instability and the urgent need for stability and security in Niger. Failure to address these issues could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Niger but for the entire West African region.