NIGER: MNJ ATTACKS AGADEZ

UNCLAS NIAMEY 000693 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PGOV ASEC NG SUBJECT: NIGER: MNJ ATTACKS AGADEZ ¶1. (U) The MNJ reports on its web site that it attacked Agadez around 6:30 in the evening of July 10. It claims that the attack is the prelude for an offensive, and warns civilians to stay away from military and government facilities in the interior of the country. It also reiterates its claim that its number two, Acherif Mohamed Almoctar, and three other MNJ fighters were captured alive. It threatens grave consequences if they are killed. ¶2. (U) As of the morning of July 14, there have been no formal GON statements about the incident, nor has the government media reported it. The governor of Agadez was cited in the international press as saying that there was rocket and heavy weapons fire, and that several shells landed near a hospital and his residence. The GON had previously claimed that Acerif and the other MNJ members were killed in battle. ¶3. (SBU) Other sources confirm that there was an attack on Agadez, although they differ on details. An American citizen in Agadez reported hearing four explosions near the governors residence around midnight July 10/11, followed by helicopters circling the area. An Embassy LES learned from police contacts in Agadez that there was an attack on the governor's residence and a military base about a mile north of Agadez, and that the FAN responded with rockets, but there were no injuries. The French DATT said that the MNJ fired three rockets and a mortar round the night of July 10/11. The rockets landed near the hospital, but did not explode. The mortar round landed and exploded near the governor's residence. He also reports that there were no injuries. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: The MNJ has been threatening the GON regarding the fate of Acherif since he was either captured or killed in a GON offensive. The attack on Agadez, while having little effect militarily, was probably aimed at demonstrating that it still has the ability to strike. ALLEN