At least 17 soldiers of the Nigerien Defence and Security Forces (SDF) were killed in a deadly attack on a military position in Yatakala, Tillabéri region, on December 31, 2025.
The assault, which also left several personnel missing, was carried out by armed attackers who overwhelmed the SDF position.
Details of the attack were disclosed in a report by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Mr. Zagozola Makama.
The community is located in the volatile tri-border region shared by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The Tillabéri region has continued to experience persistent insecurity and violent extremist attacks, with armed groups frequently exploiting the area’s rugged terrain and porous borders to launch assaults on military installations and surrounding communities