Human Rights Watch has reported a sharp increase in attacks by the Islamic State’s Sahel Province in western Niger, resulting in the deaths of more than 127 civilians since March.
The report documents assaults in the Tillabéri region, bordering Burkina Faso and Mali, an area that has seen growing activity by armed groups.
Eyewitnesses quoted in the report accused Niger’s military of failing to respond to advance warnings or to provide adequate protection for civilians.
The violence comes under the rule of the military council, which seized power in 2023 claiming the previous government had failed to confront insurgents — a claim contradicted by reports suggesting security had improved prior to the coup.
HRW urged Nigerien authorities to investigate what it described as clear “war crimes.” Reuters noted, however, that it could not independently verify the reports.
