Gunmen killed five soldiers and wounded others during a weekend ambush of a military convoy on escort duty in northern Niger, the army said on Tuesday.
No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s attack, which took place in the Agadez region on the road to the city of Arlit, Niger’s army chief of staff, Abdou Sidikou Issa, said in a statement
Gunmen kill at least 50 in attacks on Nigerian town
The convoy, which included four Toyotas mounted with machine guns, was leaving a gold mining site when it was hit. Armed groups and people who come to steal gold frequent the area, according to local residents.
Three of the wounded soldiers were evacuated to Niger’s capital, Niamey, and military reinforcements have been sent to the area, Issa said.
ISLAMIC EXTREMIST ATTACKS KILL MORE THAN 30 CIVILIANS IN THE CONGO
Niger has been battling a jihadist insurgency linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group that has killed thousands. While attacks by jihadist groups in the Agadez region have been rare in recent years, analysts said insurgency in Sunday’s attack cannot be ruled out.
“At the same time, armed banditry is common against civilian traveling vehicles, traders and gold prospectors in the area, but usually armed bandits do not target state security forces as happened in this incident,” said Rida Lyammouri, senior member of Policy. Center for the New South, a think tank based in Morocco.
“At this stage it is difficult to say who is responsible. If the jihadists are, they will most likely make an official claim,” he said.
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