Posted on Jun 15, 2019
Roadside Blast in Niger That Hit Americans Shows Growing Threat, Officials Say
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The roadside bomb that disabled an American vehicle in Niger last week was rudimentary and harmed no one, but its location — roughly 70 miles into the country’s interior and minutes from an American Army outpost — was unusual and alarming, military officials said.
The strike was the latest in a string of attacks carried out by Islamic State affiliates using roadside bombs in Niger that have, until now, mostly targeted Nigerien forces.
No extremist group claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred on the outskirts of the small town of Oullam. The blast’s proximity to American troops has increased concerns about the growing threat of improvised explosive devices, or I.E.D.s, that have long defined American conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bomb used on June 8, according to a military official, was activated by a weatherproofed pressure plate and wired to an 81 millimeter mortar projectile, which exploded, causing a main charge of nearly a dozen 60 millimeter mortar rounds to detonate. The explosives were buried roughly three feet underground and positioned at a key choke point on a road that led to a shooting range frequented by American, Canadian and Nigerien troops.
The strike was the latest in a string of attacks carried out by Islamic State affiliates using roadside bombs in Niger that have, until now, mostly targeted Nigerien forces.
No extremist group claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred on the outskirts of the small town of Oullam. The blast’s proximity to American troops has increased concerns about the growing threat of improvised explosive devices, or I.E.D.s, that have long defined American conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The bomb used on June 8, according to a military official, was activated by a weatherproofed pressure plate and wired to an 81 millimeter mortar projectile, which exploded, causing a main charge of nearly a dozen 60 millimeter mortar rounds to detonate. The explosives were buried roughly three feet underground and positioned at a key choke point on a road that led to a shooting range frequented by American, Canadian and Nigerien troops.
Roadside Blast in Niger That Hit Americans Shows Growing Threat, Officials Say
Posted from nytimes.com
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 6
Posted 5 y ago
12MAY19 Islamic State claimed fighters from its West Africa Province affiliate killed 11 soldiers in an attack on a military base in Gajigana in the volatile northeastern Borno state.
In a Saturday statement, ISIS said ISWAP fighters on Friday, May 10 attacked the military base in Gajigana, also spelled Gajiganna, around 45 km (28 miles) north of Borno state capital Maiduguri. ISIS claimed 11 soldiers were killed and others injured. It said that two “tanks” were destroyed and the base was burned, and that two four-wheel-drive vehicles, weapons and ammunition were captured.
In a Saturday statement, ISIS said ISWAP fighters on Friday, May 10 attacked the military base in Gajigana, also spelled Gajiganna, around 45 km (28 miles) north of Borno state capital Maiduguri. ISIS claimed 11 soldiers were killed and others injured. It said that two “tanks” were destroyed and the base was burned, and that two four-wheel-drive vehicles, weapons and ammunition were captured.
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Posted 5 y ago
I should research Nigeria as there is a strong Muslim insurgency in the country.
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
5 y
Capt Dwayne Conyers Sounds Like these Soldiers are Blessed with My Luck. Close but No Banana when Nature or Whatever Tries to Take Me Out.
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LTC Jeff Shearer
5 y
Then hunt those son of bitches down. I am far from an expert on that area of the planet maybe we need to reevaluate things. Then again maybe we need to monkey stomp a jackass
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