Joint troops unleash terror on Islamic militants in Niger

Niger’s defence ministry has announced that 18 Islamic State militants have been killed in a joint operation by US, French and Nigerien troops.

Five others were also taken prisoner during a 12-day operation in Tongo Tongo, near Niger’s border with Mali in the north.

The ministry added that the troops had been targeting a group implicated in an ambush that killed 28 Nigerien soldiers last month.

It said important materials were also recovered, including military equipment stolen by is members after the ambush.

In a separate statement, France confirmed the operation but did not mention US involvement and said Malian troops had taken part.

The US has not yet made any public comment.