Update: Niger Suffers Heavy Losses in Tilia Attack by EIGS

Top Nigerien government authority have confirmed the grim details of this morning's attack on the Eknewan base in Tilia, where Islamic State terrorists in the Greater Sahara (EIGS) launched a brutal assault. The latest reports indicate that 24 soldiers have been killed in the attack, with eight others captured by the militants.

The assailants also inflicted significant material damage, burning six vehicles and seizing two others. In addition to the heavy loss of life, the attackers made off with a large quantity of weapons and ammunition from the base, further bolstering their operational capacity.

The capture of the eight soldiers adds another layer of urgency to the already critical situation, as efforts to secure their release are underway. Reinforcements have since secured the area, but the scale of the attack reflects the growing strength and audacity of EIGS in the region.