16 soldiers killed, 23 injured in terror attack in west Niger

At least 16 Nigerien soldiers were killed and 23 others injured in a terrorist attack targeting a detachment of the country's Defense and Security Forces in the Tera area in western Niger, the Nigerien Press Agency reported on Sunday.



The attack took place in the western Tillabery region, near the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.



Fifteen terrorists were killed, five motorcycles were recovered and four were destroyed, the report said, citing a statement from the Nigerien Ministry of Defense.



"The swift response of the Defense and Security Forces, supported by aerial assets, forced the enemy to retreat. Search, sweep and security operations are continuing in the area," the statement said.