On May 29, 2021, jihadists from Boko Haram based along the Nigerien-Nigerian border launched a raid into the city of Diffa, but were repelled by Nigerien soldiers.
| 2021 Diffa raid | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Boko Haram insurgency | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Niger |
 Boko Haram | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| Unknown | 15-20 vehicles | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4 killed, 9 injured | 6 killed | ||||||
| 4 civilians killed, 5 injured | |||||||
Background
editThe city of Diffa, capital of Niger's Diffa Region and located along the Niger river that makes up the Niger-Nigerian border, has been attacked several times since the start of the Boko Haram insurgency in 2015.[1] In May 2020, clashes broke out along the Doutchi Bridge in Doutchi, which links Niger to Nigeria.[1] Diffa had a pre-war population of 200,000 people, but since the insurgency began 300,000 refugees have fled to the city.[2]
On May 22, unknown bandits ambushed a Nigerien security post along the RN1 highway between Mainé-Soroa and Diffa, killing one policeman and kidnapping another.[3]
Raid
editThe attack began between 3pm and 4pm on May 29, with the ISWAP fighters originating from the village of Bagara south of Diffa.[4] The jihadists' invasion was halted by Nigerien FDS located between Bagara and Diffa, sparking battles.[5] The Boko Haram fighters conducted the attack with fifteen to twenty vehicles.[4][5] While the attack was repelled by the Nigerien forces, thousands of panicked civilians fled the area in anticipation of more attacks.[5]
Nigerien forces later reported that four FDS soldiers were killed and nine were injured, and that four civilians were killed and five were injured.[6] Nigerien forces reported that at least six militants were killed in the attack, and officials released a photoset of captured vehicles and weaponry.[7][4][6]
References
edit- ^ a b Dahiru, Aliyu (2021-05-29). "Niger Republic Soldiers Push Back ISWAP Attack In Diffa". HumAngle. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ Usaini, Nebianet (May 29, 2021). "Boko Haram Attacks Diffa City In Niger Republic". Channels TV. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ "Niger: Unidentified assailants ambush security post in Diffa Region, May 22". Niger: Unidentified assailants ambush security post in Diffa Region, May 22 | Crisis24. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ a b c "Boko Haram militants kill 8 in southeastern Niger, says defence ministry". Reuters. May 30, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Niger : importante attaque de Boko Haram dans le sud-est du pays". Le Figaro (in French). 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ a b "Communiqué de l'Etat-major du Secteur 4 de la FMM : Boko Haram mis en déroute à Diffa". ActuNiger (in French). 2021-05-30. Retrieved 2024-09-16.
- ^ "Nigeria Security Tracker Weekly Update: May 22–28 | Council on Foreign Relations". www.cfr.org. Retrieved 2024-09-16.