Nearly 130 people have been summarily executed by Islamist insurgents in Niger in separate attacks since March, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.
The rights group highlights a series of brutal attacks, including a mass murder at a mosque in the western Tillabéri region in June, where more than 70 worshippers were shot dead during prayers.
There were bodies everywhere, one on top of the other, a local woman, who lost three of her sons in the attack, was quoted as saying.
This surge in violence represents a major blow to the credibility of Niger's military junta, which had promised to combat the insurgency after deposing President Mohamed Bazoum in 2023.
According to HRW, about 1,600 civilians have been killed by Islamic State (IS) group fighters in Niger since the coup. The report also emphasizes that jihadist groups have destroyed schools and religious sites while imposing severe restrictions on freedoms based on their interpretation of Islam.
Islamist armed groups are targeting the civilian population in western Niger and committing horrific abuses, stated Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at HRW, adding that Nigerien authorities need to enhance protection for those living in the Tillabéri region.
The report further reveals that the army has not yet commented on the HRW report. Witnesses from attacks reported that the army did not adequately respond to warnings, ignoring villagers' calls for protection.
The Tillabéri region, which borders Burkina Faso and Mali, has been a focal point of the insurgency for the past decade. Despite military alliances formed with neighboring countries to combat jihadists, violence continues to escalate, pressing authorities to reevaluate their strategies for effective conflict resolution.
