According to military sources, in the last three days six members of an alleged Islamist cell were killed in a clash between Makalondi and Banteri, within the framework of the operation known as “Niya”, near the border with Burkina Faso.

Meanwhile, three others were killed in combat in the area of Téra, in the vicinity of the town of Garbougna, also on the border.

Several presumed accomplices were arrested and weapons, ammunition and means of transport, fuel and medicines were seized.

The same source said that one soldier was slightly wounded during the operation and was evacuated to a health center in the area.

Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, are members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), formed after the Economic Commission of West African States imposed economic and diplomatic sanctions on the three countries for refusing to initiate a process of return to civilian rule, following the overthrow of their respective presidents.

The three military governments also conduct coordinated operations in combating Islamist groups operating in their territories or on the common border.

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