At least 22 Nigerien soldiers were killed on Thursday in an attack on a refugee camp in the country's western region of Tassara.
A source told Xinhua that unknown gunmen attacked Nigerien soldiers who were guarding the camp housing Malian refugees, and killed at least 22 soldiers.
The attackers are suspected to be Islamic extremists from northern Mali, according to the source.
There is no official comment on the attack, but according to the source, the Nigerien military has launched an operation to hunt for the attackers.
Niger's national television reported Thursday night that a refugee camp in the country's western region bordering Mali was attacked by armed men. The report said there were heavy casualties but did not reveal the exact number.
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