Niger: 41 Soldiers Killed in Deadliest Assault Marked by Use of Kamikaze Drones
By: Zagazola Makama
A deadly assault by suspected Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) fighters on a military outpost in Eknewan, west of Télemces in the Tillia commune, claimed the lives of 41 personnel of the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN) in the early hours of Saturday.
According to military sources, the attack, which lasted nearly three hours, was the first to involve the use of kamikaze drones by the assailants marking a dangerous new phase in the security challenges facing Niger. The use of explosive-laden drones reportedly played a critical role in breaching defenses and inflicting heavy casualties.
Among the dead was the commanding officer of the post. As of Saturday evening, 30 bodies had been transported to Tlemces before proceeding to Tahoua for burial, while 11 others unidentifiable due to the scale of the violence were laid to rest on site.
The Eknewan base housed both a Special Forces detachment from Tillia and a National Guard intervention unit (GIS). However, only FAN casualties were recorded in the official tally, raising questions within military circles.
This attack comes just months after a similar raid on the same base on September 18, 2024, which resulted in 38 soldiers killed, prompting renewed scrutiny of military preparedness and command responsibility.
Sources close to military intelligence indicate that a clear threat warning was received by Eknewan’s garrison ten days prior to the attack. Despite this, no significant reinforcements or protective measures were taken ahead of the incident.
There was an apparent degradation of drone surveillance capacity in the Niger Republic. The Tahoua drone base, equipped with Turkish-made Bayraktar drones under former President Mohamed Bazoum, reportedly ceased operations following the events of July 26, 2023. The drones are said to have been redeployed to Niamey, where they are now tasked with the protection of senior military officials.
No official statement has yet been issued by the Ministry of National Defense.
