Jihadist groups performing civilian and burning homes, HRW warns

Nearly 130 people have been “executed” by Islamist rebels in Niger in separate attacks since March, according to a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

The right group says the artillerymen committed a series of brutal attacks, including mass murder in a mosque in the West Tilaberry area in June, where more than 70 pilgrims were shot during prayers.

“There were bodies everywhere, one top,” a local woman who lost three of her sons in the attack was quoted by HRW.

The standing of the attacks is a major blow to Niger’s military junta, as she promised to get away the rebels when she took power after deposing President Mohammed Bazum in 2023.

About 1600 civilians were killed by fighters of the Islamic State (IS) group in Niger after the coup, HRW said, citing data collected by the conflict monitoring group.

Jihadist groups have also destroyed schools and religious sites and have imposed severe restrictions on the freedoms of people based on their interpretation of Islam, HRW said.

“Islamist armed groups are aimed at the civilian population in Western Niger and commit terrifying abuses,” says Hilaria Algrantsi, a senior HRW researcher.

“The Nigerian authorities have to do more to protect the people living in the Tilaberry area,” she added.

The army has not yet commented on HRW reportS

Five men and two boys were killed in May when fighters attacked the Danny Fari area and burned at least a dozen homes, the report said.

“The bodies were scattered … Distracted with bullets. There was no body that had less than three bullets holes. Bullets had hit people in the back, hands, head,” Herder told HRW.

“We found the bodies of the two children lying on their backs,” the old man added.

Witnesses said the army “does not adequately respond to attack warnings, ignoring peasants’ requests for protection,” HRW reported.

No group has taken responsibility for the five attacks documented by the rights group, but the accusations of eyewitnesses are fighters who, according to HRW, can be identified by the turbans they carry.

The Tilaberi region borders Burkina Faso and Mali and is a focal point of the uprising over the last decade.

Niger – along with their two neighbors, who are also ruled by the military – have set up a jihadist union and scaled ties with the West, instead turning to Russia and Turkey for their security needs.

But violence continues, putting them on to come up with more effective strategies to deal with violence.