A deadly Boko Haram attack has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Africa's Lake Chad Basin. According to reports, around 10 Nigerian soldiers were killed after militants launched a deadly assault near Diffa, a military garrison town in southeastern Niger, close to the borders of Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon.

Authorities confirmed casualties following the attack, while security forces launched operations to secure the surrounding area. Niger's state media reported that military personnel were killed and equipment destroyed during the assault. The governor of Diffa, General Mahamadou Ibrahim, traveled to the town to oversee the burial of the fallen soldiers.

The Lake Chad Basin has long served as a stronghold for Boko Haram, which began its insurgency in 2009. The extremist group has killed thousands of people and displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria, with violence spreading into neighboring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

Boko Haram Launches Deadly Attack Near Lake Chad | 10 Nigerian Soldiers Killed

A devastating fire broke out at a massive military ammunition depot in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, causing fatalities and injuries, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced on Wednesday (June 19).&nbsp;

The blaze erupted late Tuesday, leading to extensive damage and loss of life.

In a post on Facebook, President Deby said it "caused human and material damage." However, he did not specify the number of casualties.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/club-q-shooter-anderson-lee-aldrich-gets-55-more-life-sentences-for-2022-lgbtq-massacre-732988">Club Q shooter Anderson Lee Aldrich gets 55 additional life sentences for 2022 LGBTQ massacre</a>

"Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and a speedy recovery to the wounded," he added while promising a thorough investigation into the incident.

The fire broke out just a few kilometres from Chad's main international airport, which authorities said was unaffected.

<h2>What happened?</h2>

According to&nbsp;AFP, the massive fire started late on Tuesday (June 17) at the depot in the Goudji area near the airport. It caused a series of explosions that were heard miles away.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing projectiles launched into the sky and detonating, illuminating the area with flashes of red and black.&nbsp;As per the report, explosions continued for more than an hour and a half after the initial blasts.

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🚨🇹🇩 Explosions at Ammunition Depot in Chad's Capital 
 
A major fire has triggered intense explosions at an ammunition depot near N'Djamena airport in Chad. 
 
The blasts have scattered ammunition across a wide area, causing significant concern among local residents. 
 
Footage shows… <a href="https://t.co/VaLJKSrIqd">pic.twitter.com/VaLJKSrIqd</a>
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/1803229296812531750?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 19, 2024</a></blockquote>
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While an official figure on the number of casualties is awaited, Reuters citing witnesses reports that&nbsp;at least one person was killed and several wounded. A resident&nbsp;of a neighbourhood near the depot has reported witnessing at least two injured people being rushed to hospital on motorbikes.

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In a statement on Facebook, Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, also the government spokesperson, urged the population to remain calm and described the explosions as "huge."&nbsp;

A senior army official speaking to AFP confirmed that the "biggest ammunition depot in N'Djamena has caught fire".

The depot is located in a densely populated neighbourhood near the international airport and a base where French troops are stationed. An official from the French forces, speaking anonymously, stated that the fire "caused explosions of ammunition of all calibres".

(With inputs from agencies)

A devastating fire broke out at a massive military ammunition depot in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, causing fatalities and injuries, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced on Wednesday (June 19).

A devastating fire broke out at a massive military ammunition depot in N'Djamena, the capital of Chad, causing fatalities and injuries, President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno announced on Wednesday (June 19). The blaze erupted late Tuesday, leading to extensive damage and loss of life. In a post on Facebook, President Deby said it "caused human and material damage." However, he did not specify the number of casualties. Also read | Club Q shooter Anderson Lee Aldrich gets 55 additional life sentences for 2022 LGBTQ massacre "Peace to the souls of the victims, sincere condolences to the grieving families and a speedy recovery to the wounded," he added while promising a thorough investigation into the incident. The fire broke out just a few kilometres from Chad's main international airport, which authorities said was unaffected. What happened? According to AFP, the massive fire started late on Tuesday (June 17) at the depot in the Goudji area near the airport. It caused a series of explosions that were heard miles away. Eyewitnesses reported seeing projectiles launched into the sky and detonating, illuminating the area with flashes of red and black. As per the report, explosions continued for more than an hour and a half after the initial blasts. 🚨🇹🇩 Explosions at Ammunition Depot in Chad's Capital A major fire has triggered intense explosions at an ammunition depot near N'Djamena airport in Chad. The blasts have scattered ammunition across a wide area, causing significant concern among local residents. Footage shows… pic.twitter.com/VaLJKSrIqd — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 19, 2024 × While an official figure on the number of casualties is awaited, Reuters citing witnesses reports that at least one person was killed and several wounded. A resident of a neighbourhood near the depot has reported witnessing at least two injured people being rushed to hospital on motorbikes. Also read | More than 300 Egyptian pilgrims die in hajj, most from heat: Diplomats In a statement on Facebook, Foreign Minister Abderaman Koulamallah, also the government spokesperson, urged the population to remain calm and described the explosions as "huge." A senior army official speaking to AFP confirmed that the "biggest ammunition depot in N'Djamena has caught fire". The depot is located in a densely populated neighbourhood near the international airport and a base where French troops are stationed. An official from the French forces, speaking anonymously, stated that the fire "caused explosions of ammunition of all calibres". (With inputs from agencies)

Deadly blaze at Chad's largest ammunition depot results in fatalities, president promises investigation

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Boko Haram Launches Deadly Attack Near Lake Chad | 10 Nigerian Soldiers Killed

Deadly blaze at Chad's largest ammunition depot results in fatalities, president promises investigation