At least 20 soldiers have been killed in Niger in an attack on a camp for Malian refugees, the BBC quoted officials as saying on Friday.

The attack took place in the western Tahoua region, Prime Minister Brigi Rafini said. Assailants targeted a military post near the camp.

Northern and central Mali remain unstable nearly four years after France led a military intervention to drive out jihadists.

Niger's military is currently battling Boko Haram militants launching raids across the country's southern border from Nigeria as well as attempting to prevent violence spilling over from Mali to the west.

Sourc: MENA