Armed perpetrators massacre 22 individuals during a baptism ceremony in Niger
In a tragic turn of events, gunmen on motorbikes killed 22 villagers in the western region of Tillaberi, Niger, on Monday. This region, which borders Burkina Faso and Mali, has been the site of numerous violent attacks as of late.
Local media firm Elmaestro TV reported a 'gruesome death toll' of 22 innocent people, with most of the victims attending a baptism ceremony in Takoubatt village. A resident who spoke to reporters requested anonymity for security reasons.
The attack comes amidst a series of violent incidents in the Tillaberi region. According to Human Rights Watch, the Islamic State group has 'summarily executed' more than 127 villagers and Muslims in Tillaberi in five attacks since March.
The Tillaberi region is ruled by military coup leaders who claim to pursue a sovereignist policy. The military leaders, who came to power two years ago, have struggled to contain jihadist groups active in the region, which are linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group.
Sadly, this isn't the first time the region has seen such barbarism. About 20 soldiers were killed in the Tillaberi region last week, and seven more people were killed by the attackers on the outskirts of Takoubatt village.
Niger, along with Burkina Faso and Mali, has expelled the French and US armies that were fighting alongside them against jihadism. Human Rights Watch has urged Niger authorities to 'do more to protect' civilians against deadly attacks.
Doctors Without Borders (Ärzte ohne Grenzen), an organization that pursues victims of conflicts worldwide, supports people living in war or conflict zones by providing medical care and humanitarian aid. Their assistance is crucial in regions like Tillaberi, where the violence continues to take a heavy toll on the local population.
Read also:
- United States tariffs pose a threat to India, necessitating the recruitment of adept negotiators or strategists, similar to those who had influenced Trump's decisions.
- Weekly happenings in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Southwest region's most popular posts, accompanied by an inquiry:
- Discussion between Putin and Trump in Alaska could potentially overshadow Ukraine's concerns
