At least 10 Nigerien soldiers were killed and 15 others injured in a double assault by suspected jihadist militants near the country’s western border with Burkina Faso, the government announced Friday. The attacks, which also left 41 assailants dead, mark one of the deadliest incidents this year in Niger’s volatile border regions.
According to a statement from Defence Minister General Salifou Modi, the attacks were carried out by “several hundred mercenaries” and occurred simultaneously in the towns of Bouloundjounga and Samira, both in the Gotheye department. The coordinated nature of the ambush suggests a high level of planning and organization by the attackers, who are believed to be affiliated with jihadist groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
“The Defence and Security Forces valiantly repelled the attack,” Modi said in a statement broadcast on national television. “On the enemy side, 41 mercenaries were neutralised.”
Gotheye, situated near the borders of Mali and Burkina Faso, has long been plagued by jihadist violence. The region is part of the so-called “three-border area,” a hotspot of militant activity in the Sahel where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso converge.
The village of Samira, one of the attack sites, is home to Niger’s only industrial-scale gold mining operation. In May, eight mine workers were killed after their vehicle struck a roadside explosive in the same area—highlighting the persistent threat jihadist groups pose to both civilians and critical infrastructure.
Niger has been grappling with jihadist insurgencies for over a decade, and since a military junta took control of the country in July 2023, attacks have continued despite a shift in foreign alliances and internal military operations.
As regional instability grows and foreign military support becomes increasingly uncertain, Niger’s transitional authorities face mounting pressure to restore security and safeguard strategic assets such as the Samira gold mine.
The government has promised to reinforce military operations in the region and urged the public to remain vigilant. However, with insurgent groups growing bolder, the path to stability remains fraught with danger.
