US condemns Niger bombings

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States has condemned the "vicious terrorist attacks" at an army base and French-run uranium mine in northern Niger that left 33 people dead.

"These attacks targeted two of our key partners in the Sahel -- Niger and France," State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said in a statement late Friday.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms the vicious terrorist attacks," he added.

"We express our condolences to the Nigerien people and their government, who have stood steadfast in rejecting violent extremism," Ventrell said.

The US commended both France and Niger "for their leadership within international efforts to combat terrorism and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to improving the security of the Sahel region and its people," Ventrell said.

The incident started Thursday with twin suicide bombings at the army base in Agadez, the main city in northern Niger, and the Somair mine some 250 kilometers (150 miles) to the north.

The attackers seized a building at the Agadez base after the bombings and were holding a group of trainee soldiers hostage until Friday, when French special forces and local troops staged a raid to end the standoff.

The Agadez attack claimed 24 victims in addition to eight Islamists killed, according to Niger's Defense Minister Mahamadou Karidjo.

One person was killed and 14 wounded in the Somair attack.