France: Nearly 40 jihadis killed in drone strikes in Niger

French soldiers loading a French Reaper drone with two GBU 12 missiles on Niamey airbase, Niger. French Defence Ministry photo via AP

NIAMEY, Niger (AP/UNB) — French drone strikes killed nearly 40 Islamic extremists earlier this week who were traveling on motorcycles near Niger’s border with Burkina Faso, France’s military announced Thursday.

In a statement, the French military called the strikes a “new tactical success” for France’s counterterrorism efforts in Africa’s Sahel region, named Operation Barkhane.

“Intelligence obtained from Nigerien units in contact with the column confirmed that the motorcycles belonged to an armed terrorist group moving between Burkina Faso and Niger,” Barkhane said in the statement.

“In close coordination with Niger’s Armed Forces, the Barkhane force conducted several strikes against the column. Nearly 40 terrorists were neutralized.”

Extremist violence is growing in the Sahel region, the vast territory south of the Sahara Desert which includes Niger and other countries. Niger’s southwest neighbor, Burkina Faso, is battling growing jihadi attacks.