44 Civilians Dead in Militant Attack in Niger

DAKAR, Senegal — A violent assault perpetrated by a jihadi faction in a western Niger village led to the tragic loss of 44 civilian lives, as reported by the Interior Ministry of Niger.
The attack unfolded on Friday afternoon located in the village of Fambita, a rural area within the commune of Kokorou, which lies near the junction of the Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso borders. The ministry attributed the horrific event to the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS).
Communication attempts with the EIGS for remarks were unsuccessful.
According to the Interior Ministry’s statement, “At approximately 2 p.m., amidst the observance of Friday prayers by Muslim villagers, armed terrorists surrounded the mosque to execute a massacre noted for its extreme cruelty.” The attackers reportedly not only inflicted violence on individuals but also set ablaze a market and multiple residences before retreating from the scene.
Originally, the death toll stood at 44 civilians, with an additional 13 individuals sustaining serious injuries. The impact of this tragedy prompted the declaration of a three-day national mourning period.
For over a decade, Niger, alongside neighboring countries Burkina Faso and Mali, has contended with an insurgency orchestrated by jihadist groups, some of which are affiliated with both al-Qaida and the Islamic State.
Following recent coups d’état across these nations, the emerging military regimes have expelled forces from France, opting instead for the mercenary units aligned with Russia for their security needs. In response to rising threats, these countries have pledged to reinforce their alliance by establishing the Alliance of Sahel States, a new cooperative security effort.
Analysts, however, caution that the security climate in the Sahel—a sprawling region bordering the Sahara Desert—has deteriorated since the juntas assumed control. There has been a notable increase in the frequency and intensity of attacks, resulting in a high toll of civilian lives lost at the hands of both Islamic militants and state military operations.