Niger: Militants attack two villages along border with Mali, killing over 70 people and wounding at least 17 others Jan. 2

Event

Unidentified militants attacked the villages of Tchombangou and Zaroumdareye near Niger's border with Mali Jan. 2. Preliminary reports indicate that about 79 civilians were killed and at least 17 were wounded in the two assaults, with the most casualties being reported in Tchombangou. No group has as yet claimed responsibility for the incidents; however, al-Qaeda-affiliated militants frequently attack settlements in the Niger-Mali border area.