Islamic armed group, Islamic State in the Sahel Province (IS Sahel) has been accused of executing over 127 people and burning dozens of homes in Niger.
According to Human Rights Watch, the group executed five attacks across Niger’s western Tillabéri region in what is seen as escalated attacks in the region since March 2025.
“Witnesses said the Nigerien army did not adequately respond to warnings of attacks, ignoring villagers’ requests for protection,” Human Rights Watch said.
The rights group says these attacks violate international humanitarian law and are “apparent war crimes”.
Senior Sahel Researcher at Human Rights Watch, Ilaria Allegrozzi describes the actions by the groups as “horrific abuses.”
Human Rights Watch is calling for an urgent overhaul of protection and response strategies for residents in the region to deter future attacks.
Allegrozzi also says “Nigerien authorities need to do more to protect people living in the Tillabéri region.”
Persons affected by the attacks are villagers and Muslim worshippers.
No armed group has claimed responsibility for the five attacks that Human Rights Watch documented. However, witnesses said they believed the attackers were members of “IS Sahel based on the villages targeted and the attackers’ attire, including turbans with red bands similar to those the armed group wore during previous attacks.”
