2021 Tahoua attacks
Part of the jihadist insurgency in Niger
LocationTahoua Region, Niger
Date21 March 2021
Deaths137
InjuredUnknown
PerpetratorIslamic State in the Greater Sahara[1][2]

On 21 March 2021, armed jihadists attacked the villages of Intazayane, Bakorat, Wirsnat, and several other hamlets and camps in Tahoua Region, Niger. The attacks killed 137 people and injured several others.[3]

Background

Niger has suffered from a jihadist insurgency since 2015, when Islamist groups from Mali began to spread their influence into the country. Since then, the border area between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has become a hotspot for extremists.

In the same week, militants on motorbikes attacked a convoy in the neighboring Tillabéri Region, killing 58 people.[4]

Attacks

The attacks took place at around 12:00 pm GMT.[5] Armed jihadists indiscriminately attacked people in the villages of Intazayane, Bakorat, and Wirsnat, as well as several other hamlets and camps throughout the Tahoua region. 137 civilians were killed, making it the deadliest jihadist attack in Niger's history.[6] At least 22 of the dead were children aged 5 to 17.[7]

Reactions

Domestic

Mohamed Bazoum announced three days of national mourning for the victims of the attack, and also vowed that the government would reinforce security in the region.[8]

International

The attacks were condemned by the United States,[9] African Union,[10] the UN Secretary General António Guterres,[11] Turkey,[12] India,[13] and Algeria.[14]

They were also condemned by the International Rescue Committee.[15]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Nsaibia, Héni; Duhamel, Jules (17 June 2021). "Sahel 2021: Communal Wars, Broken Ceasefires, and Shifting Frontlines". ACLED. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. ↑ "Killing of at least 137 civilians in Tahoua Region on March 21 highlights role of ethnicity, communal conflicts in ongoing insurgency – Niger Analysis". Max Security. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Gunmen on motorbikes raid Niger villages, kill at least 137". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  4. ↑ "Niger: 58 dead in 'barbarous' attack – DW – 03/17/2021". dw.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  5. ↑ "Niger: At least 137 killed in attack near Malian border". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "Niger hit by deadliest 'jihadist' raids". BBC News. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  7. ↑ "Niger: attacks on children and families must stop, once and for all". UNICEF UK. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "137 killed in deadly attacks on Niger villages". Daily Sabah. 23 March 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  9. ↑ "Terrorist Attacks in Niger". United States Department of State. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  10. ↑ APANews (24 March 2021). "Niger: AU worries about recurrent terrorist attacks". APAnews – African Press Agency. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  11. ↑ "Secretary-General Strongly Condemns Killing of 137 People in Latest Niger Attack, Calling upon Authorities to Enhance Civilian Protection | UN Press". press.un.org. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  12. ↑ Agencies (22 March 2021). "Turkey strongly condemns Niger terrorist attacks". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "India strongly condemns terror attacks in Niger – News Live". 25 March 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  14. ↑ "Algeria condemns terrorist attacks in West of Niger – Embassy of Algeria in Sofia | Bulgaria". Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  15. ↑ "The IRC condemns the multiple attacks against civilians in Niger that have killed over 200 people in just ten days | International Rescue Committee (IRC)". www.rescue.org. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
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