Battle of Inates

On 11 December 2019, hundreds of fighters belonging to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara attacked a military post with guns, bombs, and mortars killing over seventy Nigerien soldiers and kidnapping others in one of the worst attacks in the history of Niger.[2][3][4]

Battle of Inates
Part of Insurgency in the Maghreb
Battle of Inates (Niger)
Date10 December 2019
Location
Inates, Tillabéri Region, Niger
Result ISIL victory
Belligerents
 Niger  ISIL Islamic State West Africa Province
Strength
220 150
Casualties and losses
101 killed and missing[1]
12 wounded		 Light

Background

In recent months, attacks by the Islamic State in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have worsened with large scale firearm assaults on both the civilian population and armed forces. In November, gunmen killed over 50 Malian Armed Forces in the 2019 Indelimane attack. A week later in Burkina Faso, gunmen stormed a convoy of buses for the Boungou mine service, killing 37, although some estimate the death toll to be much higher.[5][6][7] This attack happened after an attack on another Niger post which resulted in the killing of three Nigerian soldiers and 14 of the assailants.[8]

Attack

Several hundred gunmen stormed the base firing mortars and shooting as many soldiers as possible. The attackers also made use of suicide bombers during the attack.[9] The spokesman for the ministry stated that many of the attackers were neutralized by friendly forces. The attack killed 71 soldiers and injured 12 others. 30 more soldiers remained missing after the attack. Following this attack, the president, Mahamadou Issoufou, decided to cancel his trip to Egypt.[8][9]

Aftermath

On December 12, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack through its local branch.[10]

References
  1. "More than 70 soldiers feared killed in ambush in Niger". The Guardian. Jason Burke. Retrieved 11 December 2019.
  2. "At least 70 soldiers killed in attack on Niger military camp". France 24. 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  3. EmailEmailBioBioFollowFollow, Danielle Paquette closeDanielle PaquetteWest Africa bureau chief. "More than 70 soldiers killed in attack on military base in western Niger". Washington Post. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  4. Givas, Nick (2019-12-11). "Niger military post ambushed by suspected Islamic militants, at least 70 soldiers killed, officials say". Fox News. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  5. "Militants kill 54 in attack on Mali army post, ISIS claims responsibility". NBC News. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  6. "'So many dead': Survivors describe terrifying Burkina Faso ambush". Reuters. 2019-11-08. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  7. "AFP.com". AFP.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  8. "Scores of soldiers killed in Niger base attack". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  9. "71 Soldiers Killed In Attack On Army Camp In Niger". NPR. 2019-12-12. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  10. "Islamic State claims responsibility for military camp attack in Niger: statement". Reuters. 2019-12-12. Retrieved 2019-12-12.

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