Niger: Unidentified assailants kill four security personnel near Assamaka, Agadez Region, June 10

Event

Unidentified assailants attacked a military patrol near Assamaka, Agadez Region, at around 06:30 June 10, killing one gendarme and three police officers. The attackers reportedly fled towards the Malian border. Officials confirmed the incident and launched operations to apprehend the attackers. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Assamaka is located around 10 km (6 miles) south of the Algerian border and 150 km (93 miles) east of the Malian border.

Security forces are likely to maintain a heightened security posture in the affected area in the near term. Further such attacks remain possible.

Context

While armed bandits and militants usually operate across southern Niger, notably around the Lake Chad region and the so-called tri-border area (Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali), northern Niger is usually less prone to such incidents. Similar attacks have nonetheless occurred in the past, and have been attributed to armed bandits, smugglers, or militant Islamist groups affiliated with Al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

Advice

Monitor updates. Exercise increased vigilance if traveling in areas recently affected by violence. Plan accordingly for road travel disruptions and heed the instructions of security officials.