The Nigerien Defence Ministry has confirmed that 39 civilians were killed in two separate attacks near the border with Burkina Faso. The attacks, which occurred between December 12 and 14, have been attributed to armed insurgents linked to the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda.
The Defence Ministry's statement on Saturday described the incidents as "barbaric acts" perpetrated by "criminals" who targeted defenceless civilian populations. The attacks took place in the communities of Libiri and Kokorou, located in the Tera border region, an area notorious for jihadist activity. According to the ministry, 21 people were killed in Libiri and 18 in Kokorou, including children.
"The frontier lands between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have long been a hideout for jihadists," the ministry noted, highlighting the ongoing insurgent war against government forces in the region.
Local sources reported that one of the attacks involved gunmen assaulting a goods convoy, resulting in the death of 21 civilians. The Defence Ministry has accused the attackers of massacring civilian populations, a sentiment echoed by local witnesses who described the scenes as horrific.
In response to the attacks, the Nigerien government has intensified its security operations in the affected areas. However, the situation remains volatile, with the potential for further violence looming large.
The international community has expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region, where recurrent and expanding violence by armed Islamist groups continues to threaten local populations. The Alliance of Sahel States, a confederation formed between Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso, is under increasing pressure to address these security challenges.
As the region grapples with these issues, humanitarian needs continue to rise, exacerbated by conflicts, displacement, food insecurity and climatic hazards. The Nigerien government, along with international partners, is working to provide relief to affected communities, but the scale of the crisis presents significant challenges.
The Defence Ministry's report comes amid broader regional instability, with Burkina Faso recently ranking first in the Global Terrorism Index due to its high number of terrorist-related deaths. The country is also facing an unprecedented food crisis and a significant deterioration in access to essential social services.
In light of these developments, the Nigerien government has called for increased international support to combat the insurgency and address the humanitarian crisis.
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