The Nigerien government has declared three days of national mourning to honor the victims of a brutal jihadist attack on a mosque in Niamey, which left at least 40 worshippers dead during Friday prayers.
The assailants stormed the mosque, opening fire on worshippers before setting fire to the local market and several homes, causing further destruction. Authorities have launched an investigation, though no group has officially claimed responsibility.
The attack is part of a wider surge in jihadist violence that has plagued the Sahel region for over a decade, with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS-Sahel) exploiting political instability and weak security structures.
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey and the Chadian government have strongly condemned the attack, reaffirming their support for Niger’s government and its people.
The Islamic State in the Sahel (ISIS-Sahel)—formerly known as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS)—has been active in Niger since 2016. The group has carried out numerous deadly assaults, including the 2017 Tongo Tongo ambush, which resulted in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers.
As jihadist violence escalates in West Africa, concerns grow over Niger’s ability to counter these militant threats, particularly after the July 2023 military coup, which led to strained relations with Western allies.
The government has vowed to respond decisively, urging regional and international partners to step up counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel.
