- 17 Nigerien soldiers killed during a surprise assault
- Attack hit Yatakala military position in Tillabéri
- Several soldiers still missing after the raid
- Area lies in the volatile Niger–Mali–Burkina Faso border zone
At least 17 soldiers have been killed following a deadly attack on a Nigerien military position in the Tillabéri region, a flashpoint area plagued by repeated extremist violence in western Niger.
Preliminary reports indicate that the attack occurred in the early afternoon of December 31, 2025, when heavily armed assailants stormed a military base in Yatakala, located in the Gorouol area of Tillabéri State.
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The base was manned by troops of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (SDF), stationed in the area to curb growing threats from armed groups operating along the tri-border zone connecting Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Security sources confirmed that no fewer than 17 soldiers were killed during the assault, while several others remain unaccounted for as search operations continue.
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“Initial assessments confirm the death of at least 17 soldiers, with a number of personnel still missing following the attack,” a security source said.
Tillabéri has remained one of Niger’s most dangerous regions, frequently targeted by extremist groups who exploit the porous borders and difficult terrain to launch coordinated attacks on military installations and nearby communities.
Authorities have yet to release full details on the identities of the attackers or the outcome of ongoing operations in the area.
