More than 50 Nigerien security personnel killed in two attacks in western Niger

In late September 2026, more than 50 members of Niger's security forces were killed in two attacks in the western part of the country, according to security sources. The first attack, on September 23, targeted a gendarme convoy near Abala-Filingué, while the second, on September 26, killed over 30 soldiers in Birni-N'Konni. The Islamic State Sahel Province claimed responsibility. These attacks highlight the ongoing jihadist violence in the Sahel region, where Niger's military-led government has struggled to maintain security since the 2023 coup.