NIAMEY, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Nigerien air forces carried out an aerial strike on Tuesday, neutralizing 10 assailants and destroying at least five motorcycles in Watagouna, Mali, following a deadly attack on civilians working on the Kandadji dam bypass construction site in the Tillabéry region (west), the Nigerien military reported Thursday.
A group of armed people, roughly ten in number and riding five motorcycles, launched a lethal attack on civilians at the construction site. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants suddenly appeared and opened fire indiscriminately on the workers, resulting in "three deaths among the civilians employed by the contracting company, three serious injuries, and damage to the construction equipment."
Upon hearing the gunfire, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), already stationed in the area, quickly intervened to secure the site and assist the victims before initiating a large-scale air and ground operation to pursue the attackers.
Using aerial surveillance capabilities, the FDS personnel were able to locate and track the fleeing assailants to Watagouna, in Mali, where they "neutralized" them.
In this context, the authorities reiterated their commitment to enhancing security around strategic sites such as Kandadji. "Additional measures will be taken to ensure the continuity of work and to protect both the workers and surrounding communities," assured the military.
The Kandadji area is located within the "three borders" region (Niger-Mali-Burkina Faso), which has become a new hotspot of insecurity in the extreme southwest of the country, exacerbated in recent years by the activities of various jihadist groups. ■