Niger: 39 Civilians Killed in Recent Attacks
Recent Attacks in Western Niger
Thirty-nine people have been killed in two attacks in recent days in western Niger, near the border with Burkina Faso, Niamey’s defence ministry said Saturday. The “barbaric acts” saw 21 people killed in Libiri and 18 in Kokorou, including children, the ministry said.
Operations and Attacks
The operations took place from Dec 12-14, the statement said without detailing when the attacks happened. The communities are located in the Tera border region, an area teeming with fighters, which has been subjected to particularly bloody jihadist attacks in recent days.
Jihadist Activity in the Region
The frontier lands between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have long been a hideout for jihadists linked to the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, who have waged an insurgent war against the government. One of the latest attacks saw gunmen kill 21 civilians in an assault on a goods convoy, local sources told AFP on Dec 7.
Recent Reports of Attacks
On Wednesday, both the BBC and RFI reported that jihadists had killed 90 soldiers and over 40 civilians in Tera’s Chatoumane. Niger’s junta dismissed reports of the attack and deaths as “baseless assertions” and a “campaign of intoxication”. Although AFP was unable to verify those numbers from an independent local source, a Western security source told AFP that 90 to 100 people died in Tuesday’s attack.
Government Response
The military government suspended BBC radio for three months following its report, the latest in a slew of Western media to be sanctioned by the junta since it seized power in a July 2023 coup.
Conclusion
The recent attacks in western Niger have resulted in the loss of 39 civilian lives, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by jihadist groups in the region. The government’s response to these attacks, including the suspension of BBC radio, has raised concerns about the military junta’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
FAQs
Q: How many people were killed in the recent attacks in western Niger?
A: Thirty-nine people were killed in the attacks, including 21 in Libiri and 18 in Kokorou.
Q: Who is responsible for the attacks?
A: The defence ministry has blamed the attacks on criminals, rather than jihadist groups.
Q: What is the situation like in the Tera border region?
A: The region is teeming with fighters and has been subjected to particularly bloody jihadist attacks in recent days.
Q: Has the government responded to the attacks?
A: Yes, the military government has suspended BBC radio for three months following its report on the attacks.