At least 29 soldiers have been killed in Niger in a suspected attack by Islamic terrorists.

According to the defense ministry, Over a hundred terrorists used "improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles" to target the soldiers. The ministry has declared three days of mourning.

PHOTO | COURTESY Niger soldiers patrolling

According to the government, the attack occurred near the country's border with Mali during military operations aimed at "neutralizing the threat posed by the Islamic State" in the area.

"Communications from the terrorists who were forced to withdraw have been intercepted," the ministry stated, adding that the attackers "benefited from outside expertise."

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A jihadist insurgency has wracked Africa's Sahel region for over a decade, beginning in northern Mali in 2012 and extending to neighboring Niger and Burkina Faso in 2015.

PHOTO | COURTESY Niger soldiers


The "three borders" region between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso is a frequent target of militants linked with the Islamic State and Al-Qaeda.

The bloodshed has fueled military takeovers in all three nations, with Niger the most recent victim of a July 26 coup that deposed its democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.

In August, at least 17 Nigerien troops were killed and 20 were injured in an attack along the border between Niger and Burkina Faso by suspected jihadists.