Niger military base attacked; casualties feared

A "deadly" military base in southeast Niger's Diffa region was attacked by gunmen in a predawn raid on Wednesday, AFP news agency reported citing local sources. Around 10 people were killed during the raid which was launched around 3:00 am (0200 GMT), a municipal source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

Jihadists, including those from the Islamic State group, have a presence in southwestern Niger near the border with Mali -- where they have carried out bombings, shootings and kidnappings. More than 250 civilians were killed and nearly 240 others were kidnapped between January and August this year, mainly in Niger's regions of Diffa, Tillaberi, and Tahoua in the west, according to a UN report in September.

#BREAKING Deadly attack on military base in southeast Niger: local sources pic.twitter.com/FCkfIKiLRD

— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 30, 2019

The AFP report also said that the situation is unclear and might not be under control yet.