Source: BBC
Wednesday (11/10) - Last week's ambush upon U.S. troops in Niger which had killed four American soldiers and five Nigerians, turns out as never happened before because the suspected militants had not operated in that area previously according to U.S. Defense Secretary, Jim Mattis.
In his first time addressing the incident to the reporters in Tampa, Florida, Mattis said that the assault had taken place where “the enemy has not operated before”. Foremost, he rejected opinion such as the rescue forces were slow in evacuation, noting that French aircraft were overhead within 30 minutes. Therefore, the military is looking for any needs of possible changes as the aftermath.
In his first time addressing the incident to the reporters in Tampa, Florida, Mattis said that the assault had taken place where “the enemy has not operated before”. Foremost, he rejected opinion such as the rescue forces were slow in evacuation, noting that French aircraft were overhead within 30 minutes. Therefore, the military is looking for any needs of possible changes as the aftermath.
Source: AP News
Mattis and U.S. officials believe that the mastermind of the attack is the local Islamic State affiliate, who has keep an eye on the U.S. military assistance in Niger to combat target violent extremists. Not to mention that the scale of the jihadist threat in Niger mainly affected by its surroundings. Such as, the jihadist presence as Boko Haram in Nigeria, links to both al-Qaeda and Islamic State in Mali, also uncertainty from volatile Libya.
The initial 40 personnel including dozens of U.S. troops on the operation were hastily attacked by militants with dozens of vehicle and about 20 motorcycles. The wounded and killed were later evacuated by French aircraft.
Sources:
AP News
Reuters
Business Insider
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