Deadly Ambushes: Niger Soldiers Lose Lives in Border Attacks

Niger's junta announced that 17 soldiers were killed in an ambush by insurgents near the Burkina Faso border, marking the deadliest attack since the July 26 coup. The defence ministry reported that 100 attackers were killed in the skirmish. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on Niger's military leaders to restore constitutional order and address the increasingly fragile security situation. Niger has been grappling with an insurgency linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State, leading to food shortages and displacement. The coup leaders, who deposed President Mohamed Bazoum, have resisted pressure to reinstate him and have revoked military agreements with France.