21 Killed in Terrorist Attack in Niger

Twenty soldiers and a civilian were killed in an attack by armed terrorist groups in western Niger, the country's Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday.

According to a statement broadcast on national television, the "coalition of armed terrorist groups" launched an assault on security forces near the town of Tassia, resulting in the death of 21 people, including one civilian, and injuring nine others.

The Ministry reported that "dozens" of the attackers were killed in the ensuing combat, and additional air and ground reinforcements have been deployed to pursue the fleeing terrorists.

In response to the attack, the Ministry has declared a three-day national mourning period starting Wednesday, during which flags will be flown at half-mast.

The statement praised the security forces for their "steadfast determination" to continue the fight to "preserve sovereignty."

Tassia is located in the Tillabéri region, which borders Mali and Burkina Faso. This area has been plagued by insurgencies from rebels linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS for nearly a decade.