At least 11 soldiers have been killed in an attack in southwest Niger, Reuters reported on Friday, citing two security sources. The assault reportedly occurred near the village of Anzourou, the agency added.
The report about the incident comes just one day after gunmen killed up to 70 people near the Nigerien settlement of Banibangou.
The region remains a hotspot for terrorist activities, as neighbouring Mali wages a fight against al-Qaeda-linked* militants. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), at least 530 people have been killed by armed rebels in Niger since the beginning of this year alone, which is five times more than in all of 2020.
*Al-Qaeda is a terrorist organisation outlawed in Russia and many other states