He Niger army killed a hundred suspected terrorists of the jihadist group Islamic State (EI) in various operations carried out this week in the regions of Diffa (southeast) and tillaberi (west), according to a bulletin from this Friday that came out today.
The Nigerian Army specified that its troops killed around twenty terrorists during this same period and another 83 people were arrested for his alleged links to IS in the Diffa region.
He added that weapons and ammunition were seized during the intervention and destroyed three camps and two logistics bases belonging to the jihadists, but without specifying the towns where this operation was carried out.
Government forces also killed other 79 alleged terrorists in the population of Hamakatlocated in Malian territory and bordering the Niger region of Tillaberi.
During this operation, the Nigerien troops destroyed hundreds of motorcycles used by the jihadists and seized weapons, ammunition and communication devices, according to the information bulletin of the Niger Armed Forces.
The Nigerian army was able to pursue the terrorists on Malian territory thanks to the recent military cooperation agreement between both countriesfollowing the working visit of the Nigerian Army Chief of Staff, General Salifou Mody, to Bamako two weeks ago.
Likewise, the Army detained eight presumed terrorists during another military operation in the town of Ayorou, in Tillaberi, and they were transferred to Justice to be investigated and tried.
In the department of Loga, specifically in the village of Dorogi Balley Dayo, two militiamen died and a motorcycle, ammunition and weapons were recovered. In addition, there is a wounded soldier.
Niger faces the terrorist threat in the west from the branch of Al Qaeda in Mali, the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), and Islamic State in the Sahel –formerly Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS)–.
Likewise, the Diffa region, bathed by Lake Chad, is the scene of relatively frequent attacks by boko haram and of its split, Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA).
On the other hand, an Islamist group in West Africa released last Monday a american humanitarian worker kidnapped more than six years ago and a French journalist kidnapped almost two years ago, Niger authorities reported.
The United States said no ransom was paid for Jeffery Woodke, and thanked the Nigerien government for helping to secure their release. The French government did not comment on how the journalist’s freedom was achieved. Olivier Duboiswho was kidnapped in Mali.
Nigerien officials announced Monday morning that the two foreigners had been taken on a special flight to the country’s capital, but gave no further details. US authorities said the American hostage was not released in Niger but in the surrounding region that includes Mali, where Dubois was kidnapped in 2021.
The United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenwas pleased with the result and thanked his team and Niger for their efforts. “We will not rest until everyone is home, like Jeffery reunited with their families”he added.
Last week, Blinken paid a visit to Niger where he announced 150 million dollars in direct assistance to the Sahel region.
(With information from EFE, Europa Press and AP)
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Source-www.infobae.com