Niger claims killing 55 of ISIS fighters

Niger Monday announced the neutralization of 55 terrorists of “Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP)” in a joint operation with neighboring Nigeria.
The operation according to the army of the West African country was carried out in the terrorists’ stronghold of Arege, North-east of Nigeria, near the border with Niger.
The slain terrorists according to an army bulletin included several high-ranking military officials”, as well as “several religious leaders, Anadolu news agency reports.
The joint operation which involved the airpowers of the both countries, Niger noted, aimed at “maintaining pressure” on ISWAP and “cut off” supply routes “for armed terrorist groups”.
The Nigerien army also indicated that it lost two soldiers in the confrontation, while three other soldiers were also wounded. Boko Haram and ISWAP are very active around the Lake Chad basin whose banks stretch into Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad.