Niger says 17 of its soldiers killed in ambush

Niger's junta said 17 of its soldiers were killed in an ambush by insurgents, the deadliest attack since a 26 July coup - whose leaders have cited persistent insecurity as a justification for deposing the civilian government.
The ambush took place yesterday about 60km from the capital Niamey, in a southwestern area that borders Burkina Faso, the defense ministry said, adding that 100 attackers it referred to as "terrorists" were killed.

"The swift reaction of the soldiers and the air-land response at the scene of the skirmish enabled the enemy to be dealt with," the ministry said.