SAA event in Niger on Wed 7th February 2024

We learned from an unofficial source that a clash took place this Wednesday, February 7, 2024, between a non-state armed group and a military escort of the Nigerien Armed Forces (FAN) from Tabarakat (gold mining site in northern Niger). The clash took place 350 km northeast of Arlit.

According to our information, unidentified armed men, who came aboard several vehicles, wanted to attack by surprise elements of the FAN who were escorting civilian vehicles leaving for Arlit. The surprise effect expected by the bandits did not work, a fierce fight took place between the two camps before the attackers retreated to a neighboring country.

We do not know the toll of the attack at this time, but some passengers contacted by Aïr info speak of two vehicles of the armed bandits burned on the spot and of the losses suffered in their ranks. These same sources speak of a soldier and a civilian wounded evacuated to Arlit.
Our efforts to have confirmation from an official source have so far been in vain.