3 soldiers killed in shootout
2008-10-09 21:25
Niamey - Niger's Defense Ministry says three soldiers and one suspected rebel were killed in a fire-fight in the mountainous north of the country.
The ministry says Wednesday's shootout took place in the uranium-rich Air Mountains region, where the rebel Niger Movement for Justice is active.
The military describes the attackers in a statement released on Thursday as "armed bandits," a phrase the government commonly uses to describe rebels.
It says three soldiers were seriously wounded in the fighting and died as they were evacuated.
- AP