A Nigerian fighter jet participating in military operations in Mali crashed in western Niger, killing both crew members, Nigerian officials said May 6, Reuters reported.

French special forces are protecting one of Niger's biggest uranium mines, the BBC reported Feb. 4, citing Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou.

Malian and Nigerien troops have retaken the town of Ansongo from militants, France 24 reported Jan. 29.

France has ordered special forces to protect uranium sites operated by state-owned Areva in Niger, a military source said Jan. 24, Reuters reported.

An armored column of Chadian troops moved from Niger toward the Malian border Jan. 22, Reuters reported.

A battalion leader of the militant group Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa, Hicham Bilal, and many of his soldiers have defected from the Islamist extremist group and returned home to Niger, security sources in Mali and Niger confirmed, AFP reported Nov. 8.