U.S. officials said three U.S. Army special operations commandos were killed Wednesday and two others were wounded when they came under fire in southwestern Niger. The officials said the commandos, who were Green Berets, were probably attacked by Al Qaeda in the Maghreb militants. Africa Command said the U.S. forces are in Niger to provide training and security assistance to the Nigerien armed forces in their efforts against violent extremists. The White House said President Trump was notified about the attack Wednesday night as he flew aboard Air Force One from Las Vegas to Washington. Trump was in Las Vegas meeting with victims of Sunday night's shooting massacre, along with first responders and doctors.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 05, 2017 01:52 UTC