National Post

Village attacks killed 100, says PM

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One hundred people were killed on Saturday in attacks on two villages in western Niger, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said following one of deadliest days in recent memory for a country ravaged by Islamist violence.

Rafini announced the death toll in remarks broadcast on national television on Sunday from a visit to the zone, near the border with Mali. He did not say who was responsibl­e for the attacks.

Security sources said on Saturday that at least 70 civilians had been killed in simultaneo­us attacks by suspected Islamist militants on the villages of Tchombango­u and Zaroumdare­ye.

Niger has suffered repeated attacks by Islamist militants linked to al- Qaida and Islamic State near its borders with Mali and Burkina Faso.

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