Turkey condemns terrorist attack in Niger

By Gozde Bayar

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Tuesday condemned the recent terrorist attack in southeastern Niger, which left 28 civilians dead.

“We are deeply saddened by the news that 28 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in a terrorist attack carried out against civilians at the night of Dec. 13 2020, in the southeastern region Toumour (Diffa) of Niger,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“We deeply condemn this brutal attack," the ministry said.

It also extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives, as well as to the "friendly and brotherly" people and the government of Niger, and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Niger’s government has declared a three-day national mourning starting Tuesday.

Bordering northern Nigeria, Niger's Diffa region has been plagued by Boko Haram attacks since 2015. The entire region has been under a state of emergency for several months.

Over 450 acts of killing, kidnapping, sexual and gender-based violence, and other serious incidents were reported in Diffa region in the first nine months of 2020, according to UNHCR.