At least 29 soldiers have been killed in Niger in the deadliest attack since the army staged a coup in July.
The soldiers were killed by hundreds of jihadists using “improvised explosive devices and kamikaze vehicles”, the defence ministry said.
It added that “several dozen terrorists” were also killed in the counter-offensive that took place near the border with Mali.
Jihadist attacks on the army have risen since the military seized power.
The coup leaders said they had overthrown President Mohamed Bazoum government as the security situation was deteriorating.
France is withdrawing its 1,500 troops from Niger before the end of the year, following pressure from the junta.
The French forces have been fighting the insurgency in Niger that spilled over from Mali in 2015.
Last week, France’s ambassador left Niger after being blockaded in the French embassy for several weeks on the orders of the junta.
BBC / Titilayo Kupoliyi
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