At least 15 dead in Boko Haram raid in Niger: security sources September 25, 2015 - 17:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Islamist Boko Haram militants operating out of Nigeria raided a village across the border in southern Niger and massacred at least 15 civilians, Niger security sources said on Friday, September 25, according to Reuters. The overnight attack took place in the village of N'Gourtoua in the Diffa region near the West African nation's border with Nigeria, as residents celebrated Tabaski, or Eid al-Adha, the Muslim festival of sacrifice. "There were at least 15 villagers killed, either shot or with their throats slit. Boko Haram also burned down a number of houses and looted shops," one of the sources said. A second military source confirmed the deaths. Both sources asked not to be named as they were not authorized to speak to the media. A regional offensive by Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon earlier this year drove Boko Haram from much of the territory it held in northern Nigeria. But the militants have since struck back with a renewed wave of deadly raids and suicide bombings. Niger's government has placed Diffa under a state of emergency, and authorities there have arrested and imprisoned more than 1,000 suspected militants.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Erdogan wants “realistic road map” for relations with Armenia  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for a “new realistic road map” for relations with Armenia.Armenia-Azerbaijan: Experts launch work on determining coordinates Expert groups from the countries started the process of determining the coordinates based on geodetic measurements.Yerevan says did not expect CSTO in peacekeeping role Pashinyan has declared that the CSTO would be expected to come to the Armenia-Azerbaijan border as an ally of ArmeniaHenrikh Mkhitaryan wins Serie A title with Inter Inter Milan midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan admits that the team have long been imagining clinching Serie A against AC Milan. |
