‘Dozens’ of Civilians Killed in Niger Airstrikes, Witnesses Report

Dozens of civilians were reportedly killed this week during Nigerien airstrikes targeting jihadist fighters near the country’s western border with Mali, according to witnesses who spoke to AFP on Friday.

Niger has been grappling with frequent attacks by Islamist militant groups, including factions linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, as the military junta struggles to contain the violence.

One local resident told AFP: “Army strikes targeted terrorists travelling on motorbikes and there were dozens of civilian deaths in Injar.”

Another resident corroborated this account.

Location and Context

• Injar is situated approximately 200 kilometres (124 miles) northeast of Niamey, the capital of Niger.
• The area lies within the Tillaberi region, which borders both Burkina Faso and Mali, regions where jihadist groups are highly active.
• Militants in the area have been known to attack civilians on motorbikes, demand money, and steal livestock.

Official Statements and Responses

• Niger state television, RTN, reported only that “unfortunate events” in Injar caused casualties and injuries, without providing specific figures.
• Les Echos du Niger, citing unnamed witnesses, stated there were “several dozen casualties… in the army’s aerial operations.”

Military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani dispatched Colonel Main Boukar, governor of the western Tillaberi region, to Injar on Thursday:

• He visited the injured and conveyed condolences to those affected.
• He urged locals to comply with a ban on motorcycle use, warning that civilians could be mistakenly targeted as militants.

Historical Context of Military Operations

Nigerien airstrikes on suspected jihadist movements have resulted in civilian deaths before:

• In January 2024, several civilians were killed when airstrikes targeted columns of jihadists following an attack on a military post in Tyawa, near the Burkina Faso border.

Table: Key Facts – Niger Airstrikes in Injar