In Niger, a total of 39 people have been killed in two attacks in the western part of the country in recent days, according to the Ministry of Defense of the West African country.
According to the ministry, the attacks targeted civilians and children were also among the dead. The ministry refers to the suspected perpetrators as criminals.
The attacks were carried out in a border region teeming with fighters, which has recently seen exceptionally bloody jihadist attacks.
The border region between Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso has long served as a hideout for jihadist groups linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda.