Niger: Military post attacked in Baroua July 19-20

Event

Suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a military post in the village of Baroua (Diffa region; southeast) overnight July 19-20. According to initial military reports, at least one soldier was killed and two were injured. Ten militants were also killed in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility as of July 23.

Context

Niger faces a high threat from terrorism, including armed attacks and abductions. Militant Islamist cells from various Nigerian and Malian terrorist groups - including Boko Haram, Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO), and Al-Mourabitoun - are all active in the country.

The southeast of the country has seen repeated attacks by Boko Haram and its affiliates, resulting in hundreds of civilian and military deaths and thousands of displaced people.

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals throughout Niger should exercise vigilance when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted by an attack (e.g. government buildings, prominent hotels, etc.) and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Many Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to areas located in the north and west of the country, as well as areas along the Nigerian border to the south, due to the high risk of terrorist activity.