source: Xinhua; Nashir; AFP
actor1: Military Forces of Niger (2011-2021)
actor2: Islamic State (West Africa) - Lake Chad Faction
location: Kouble Maimatara
notes: On 19 January 2021, Nigerien soldiers and ISWAP militants clashed in a forested area near the Komadougou River close to the Nigerian border, coded as Kouble Maimatara (Diffa, Diffa). Five Nigerien soldiers were killed, four went missing, and seven were wounded including five severely. Nigerian authorities said in a statement that 20 militants also were killed in the air-ground operation. ISWAP claimed responsibility for the clashes and said it killed 20 soldiers in 'Matari' (likely referring to the area of Kouble Maimatara situated between Chetimari and the border with Nigeria). None of the reported death tolls could be independently verified.