A number of soldiers have been killed in an attack, probably by jihadists, on a camp in Niger housing Malian refugees, a security source told AFP on Friday.

"There were several killed in the attack (on Thursday) in Tazalit (in the western region of Tahoua), which was probably carried out by jihadists from Mali," the source said. 

Troops deployed in the attack's aftermath clashed with the assailants, who crossed the border and returned to Mali, the source added.