The Niger Republic has confirmed the death of 12 soldiers in a clash with terrorists in the south-west of the country.
A government official said security forces came under heavy fire from hundreds of fighters near the village of Funio on Saturday, noting that many terrorists were also killed.
Militants linked to the Islamic State group have been accused for a wave of attacks in the Sahel region of West Africa in recent years.
In another development, the trial of suspected organisers of a failed coup in Madagascar is set to begin on Monday.
It was gathered that 21 accused persons, among them French nationals, will appear in a court in the capital Antananarivo. They are accused of plotting to assassinate President Andry Rajoelina and all have denied the charges.
One of the accused, Paul Rafanoharana, a French-Malagasy, is a former adviser to the president. His lawyer was quoted as saying that the trial is unfair as the time given for preparation was limited and that access to his client was difficult.
