127 civilians killed by IS Sahel in Niger since March - Human Rights Watch
One of the deadliest incidents, HRW says, took place on June 21 in Manda village, where gunmen stormed a mosque and opened fire on worshipers, killing more than 70 and wounding at least 20.
The Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) has killed more than 127 civilians in Niger since March 2025 in a wave of attacks the Human Rights Watch (HRW) has described as war crimes.
In a statement on Wednesday, HRW announced that it had documented at least five attacks across western Tillabéri during the period, in which armed fighters executed villagers and Muslim worshippers and burned or looted dozens of homes.
The findings are based on 28 interviews conducted between May and July with survivors, activists, doctors, and journalists. HRW later shared its findings with Niger's justice ministry in August but received no response.
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According to witnesses, the Nigerien army ignored warnings of imminent raids despite repeated appeals for protection.
"Islamist armed groups are targeting the civilian population in western Niger and committing horrific abuses. Nigerien authorities need to do more to protect people living in the Tillabéri region," said Ilaria Allegrozzi, HRW's senior Sahel researcher.
One of the deadliest incidents, HRW says, took place on June 21 in Manda village, where gunmen stormed a mosque and opened fire on worshipers, killing more than 70 and wounding at least 20.
Another incident on March 21 saw fighters attack a mosque in Fambita village, killing at least 46 worshippers, including 3 children, who were attending the afternoon prayer, and injuring at least 12 others.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, witnesses identified the assailants as IS Sahel fighters based on their clothing, threats and prior activities. The group has long operated in Tillabéri, the border region where Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are battling Islamist insurgencies.
The violence comes two years after Niger's military junta took power, ousting former president Mohamed Bazoum over insecurity. Despite major offensives and new civilian defence efforts, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED) reports that IS Sahel has killed about 1,600 civilians since the 2023 coup.
HRW warned that both Islamist groups and government forces have carried out abuses in Niger's conflict and urged authorities to protect civilians and prosecute war crimes under international law.
"Civilians threatened by Islamist armed groups are calling on Niger's junta to provide greater protection," Allegrozzi said.
"The government should take urgent steps to deter future atrocities, investigate serious abuses, and bring those responsible to account."
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