Niger’s military announced it had killed dozens of armed fighters during a coordinated operation in the southeastern Diffa region, targeting insurgents believed to have crossed from the Lake Chad area bordering Nigeria.

Joint Air-Ground Strike in Lake Chad Zone

According to Sahel Intelligence, the offensive occurred over the weekend near the towns of Gueskerou and Chetimari, close to the Nigerian border. Military officials said “several dozen terrorists” were neutralized during the operation, which combined aerial surveillance and ground maneuvers.

The insurgents were reportedly part of a larger movement of fighters originating from islands in Lake Chad, where ISWAP maintains a stronghold.

Ongoing Threat from ISWAP in Border Zone

While the army did not name a specific group, the attackers were believed to be associated with ISWAP. The region has seen continued instability due to the presence of jihadist cells operating across Niger, Nigeria, and Chad.

Diffa has frequently been the target of cross-border attacks and ambushes by ISWAP and remnants of Boko Haram.

Reinforcement of Counterterrorism in Diffa

The Nigerien Armed Forces reiterated their commitment to defending civilians and securing the region, which remains volatile despite past counterinsurgency gains. Local sources reported that the military deployed reinforcements in anticipation of further incursions.