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Nearly 130 people have been “summarily executed” by Islamist insurgents in Niger in separate attacks since March, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) says.<\/p>\n
The rights group says gunmen carried out a series of brutal attacks, including a mass murder at a mosque in the western Tillab\u00e9ri region in June, where more than 70 worshippers were shot dead during prayers.<\/p>\n
“There were bodies everywhere, one on top of the other,” a local woman, who lost three of her sons in the attack was quoted by HRW as saying.<\/p>\n
The spate of attacks is a major blow to the credibility of Niger’s military junta, as it promised to cub the insurgency when it took power after deposing President Mohamed Bazoum in 2023.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
About 1,600 civilians have been killed by Islamic State (IS) group fighters in Niger since the coup, HRW says, citing figures collected by the conflict monitoring group Acled. <\/p>\n
The 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. <\/p>\n
“Islamist armed groups are targeting the civilian population in western Niger and committing horrific abuses,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior researcher at HRW. <\/p>\n
“Nigerien authorities need to do more to protect people living in the Tillab\u00e9ri region,” she added. <\/p>\n