Ten Chadian soldiers were killed in efforts to free two Nigerian towns from Boko Haram, Reuters reported Monday. Another 30 fighters were injured.
Neighboring countries Chad and Niger launched a mass offensive against the extremist group over the weekend and succeeded in pushing the militants back in the towns of Malam Fatouri and Damasak.
“We have kicked the enemy out of these areas and they are now under our control,” a Niger military source told Reuters.
A Niger source also said 300 Boko Haram militants were killed in the operation, but reports were unconfirmed.
The mass offensive was launched only a day after Boko Haram's leader pledged allegiance to Daesh in a propaganda video. Boko Haram, a Sunni extremist group, has committed countless crimes and taken control of the northeastern part of Nigeria.
