MORE FIGHTING REPORTED IN NORTHERN NIGER

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000995 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PGOV EMIN NG SUBJECT: MORE FIGHTING REPORTED IN NORTHERN NIGER REF: NIAMEY 879 ¶1. The website of the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (MNJ) on August 10 reported that on the night of August 9/10 it attacked military camps in Tchirozerine (some 25 miles north of Agadez on the road to Arlit) and inflicted heavy casualties on government forces. It reminds "those who have forgotten" that it can suspend mining operations in the north at any time. Government sources claim to have repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualties on the MNJ. ¶2. In a subsequent posting, the MNJ claimed that the Nigerien armed forces fired five rounds at MNJ positions on the outskirts of Agadez, striking a family and killing at least two people. (The web site features a photo of a 120 mm mortar round marked HE/TNT Lot 2340.) We have reports from a number of sources in Agadez that there was gunfire there last night and that two civilians were reportedly wounded, and possibly killed. One report suggests that the MNJ pursued soldiers from Tchirozerine into Agadez. ¶3. Tchirozerine is the location of the GON-owned Sonichar coal mine which was attacked in early July (reftel). There is also a coal-fired power plant there that supplies electricity to the region, including the uranium mines near Arlit. ¶4. Tripoli minimize considered. KORAN