The people of Niger are preparing to fight against the military action of various countries against the junta.
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Niger was seen as an important partner of Western countries in efforts to stem jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Niger’s former colonial rulers France and the US have about 2,500 military personnel in the region who train Niger’s military. France and the US have suspended military operations since the coup and jihadist attacks are on the rise. At least 17 soldiers were killed and some 24 wounded in an ambush by extremists in the Tillaberi area, the defense ministry said on state television on Tuesday.
Three weeks after rebel troops ousted its democratically elected president, Niger’s people are bracing for a possible invasion by various countries in the region. Residents of the capital Niamey are calling for a mass recruitment of volunteers to aid the army in dealing with any attacks from the West African regional organization ECOWAS. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it will use military force if the junta does not reinstate ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. ECOWAS has activated a “standby force” to restore order in Niger after the junta ignored a deadline to release Bajoum and reinstate him in office.
Led by a group of local people in Niamey, the initiative aims to recruit thousands of volunteers from across the country by registering volunteers to protect Niger. Amsrau Bako, one of the initiative’s founders, told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the group would fight if the junta needed help, assist with medical care and provide technical and engineering supplies, among other tasks. Will do The recruitment drive will begin on Saturday in Niamey as well as in other towns near the border with Nigeria and Benin from where the invading forces could enter. Both countries have said they will participate in the intervention. Bako said that anyone over the age of 18 could register and that the list would be given to the junta to conscript people if needed.
He said the junta is not involved in the initiative but is aware of the initiative. ECOWAS defense chiefs are expected to meet this week for the first time since the deployment of the “standby force” was announced. It is not clear when the group’s military force might launch an attack, but it will likely consist of several thousand soldiers. Niger’s democratically elected President Bazoum was ousted by members of his army in a coup on July 26 and has been under house arrest since then.
Niger was seen as an important partner of Western countries in efforts to stem jihadist violence linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group. Niger’s former colonial rulers France and the US have about 2,500 military personnel in the region who train Niger’s military. France and the US have suspended military operations since the coup and jihadist attacks are on the rise. At least 17 soldiers were killed and some 24 wounded in an ambush by extremists in the Tillaberi area, the defense ministry said on state television on Tuesday.
Disclaimer: IndiaTheNews has not edited this news. This news has been published from PTI-language feed.
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