Suspected jihadists have launched a series of deadly attacks in western Niger this week, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 soldiers. The violent incidents occurred on Wednesday in the Tillabéri region, which borders Burkina Faso and Mali—territories known for the active presence of jihadist groups affiliated with both Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (IS).
Local sources reported that the assaults involved multiple incidents, with a former official stating, “20 soldiers were killed by terrorists.” However, other reports suggest a higher toll that includes both military personnel and members of the national guard. A security-focused journalism group, Wamaps, indicated that IS claimed responsibility for several of the attacks, highlighting a significant military position near Tillaberi airport as a major site of violence, where 12 soldiers from the Nigerien Armed Forces lost their lives.
Wamaps further detailed that additional strikes occurred in central Tillaberi, specifically in the Digga Banda neighborhood, resulting in the deaths of at least two civilians as jihadist forces targeted a school in the area. In response to these assaults, 15 National Guard troops were reportedly killed while attempting to engage the attackers.
The civil society coalition G25, which is aligned with Niger’s previous leadership that was overthrown in a coup earlier this year, condemned the violence, attributing these attacks to the regional IS faction. They echoed the sentiment of the broader community, labeling it “terrorist attacks” and confirming the deaths of 12 soldiers from the army along with 15 from the National Guard.
In light of the escalating violence in the region, Human Rights Watch—a global non-governmental organization—called upon Nigerien authorities to enhance their efforts in protecting civilians from the increasing threat of jihadist groups. The Tillabéri region has experienced a troubling surge in deadly attacks since March, raising concerns about the safety and security of its inhabitants.
