46 soldiers killed in deadly attack on Nigerien military base

A devastating attack on a Nigerien military base near the Mali border has left at least 46 soldiers dead, with several others missing or taken hostage. The assault, carried out by militants from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS), took place on Saturday in Iknewane, Tilia Department, within Niger’s Tahoua Region.

Counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama reported that the attackers launched a large-scale, highly coordinated offensive against the Nigerien Defense and Security Forces (SDF), catching them off guard. Security sources indicated that the assailants, armed with heavy weaponry, overwhelmed the base, destroying or seizing nine out of the 16 military vehicles stationed there. The militants also looted weapons and ammunition before retreating.

Amid the chaos, a dozen soldiers were reportedly taken hostage, while others remain unaccounted for. Some troops managed to flee on foot and were later rescued, according to local sources.

In response to the attack, a military convoy comprising around 20 vehicles from the Niger Armed Forces (FAN) and the National Guard (GNN) has been dispatched from Tahoua to reinforce security and track down the attackers.

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This is not the first time the Iknewane base has been targeted. A similar assault by EIGS militants on September 18, 2024, resulted in the deaths of at least 24 soldiers, according to official reports.

The Tahoua Region, particularly areas along the Mali border, has seen a surge in extremist violence. The Nigerien government continues to grapple with persistent security threats as armed groups launch frequent attacks against both military and civilian targets.