In a message to Russian leader Vladimir Putin, President Abdourahamane Tiani of Niger condemned "a barbaric, cowardly, and despicable attack" on July 25 that claimed the lives of several Russian military instructors, including their commander.
At the same time, the general paid tribute to the "strategic and fruitful partnership" between Niamey and Moscow and declared his readiness to "work to strengthen our relations of friendship and cooperation."
The CNSP chief also offered his condolences to President Assimi Goita and the people of Mali following the deaths of "a significant number" of FAMA members in the same attack.
"I assure you of our unwavering support and my willingness to do everything in my power to ensure the success of our common struggle within the framework of the Confederation of Sahel States," Tiani said.
Earlier in the day, the armed forces of Mali and Burkina Faso carried out a series of airstrikes against a terrorist collision in the Tinzaouatene region of Mali, according to the Malian army. The operation was launched in response to the terrorists' attack on a column of Malian armed forces and Russian military instructors, which left many dead.