Islamist militants in Niger have killed at least 23 soldiers and injured 17 others during an attack in the north-west of the country, the defence ministry says.
More than 100 armed men on motorbikes used improvised explosive devices and suicide bombs to ambush the military unit as it was making its way back from an operation in the Tillabéri region.
The ministry said 30 of the attackers were killed.
Following last year’s coup in Niger, the country’s military rulers severed ties with its western allies.
French forces who had been leading an international fight against the jihadists were forced to leave.
Last weekend the authorities said they were cancelling an agreement allowing US troops to be based in Niger.