Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised alarms over a disturbing increase in violence perpetrated by the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (IS Sahel) against civilians in western Niger. Since March, the extremist group has been responsible for the deaths of 127 civilians through a series of brutal attacks.

The violence reached a chilling peak in June when IS Sahel militants stormed a mosque in Tillabéri, killing 70 worshippers in a mass execution that left the community in shock. A grieving mother recounted the harrowing scene to HRW, describing a pile of "bodies everywhere, one on top of the other," after losing three of her sons in the massacre.

In another grim attack on May 13, the group targeted a residential area, setting fire to at least a dozen homes. A herder who witnessed the aftermath found two children lifelessly shot, further compounding the local anguish. While no group has officially claimed responsibility for these heinous acts, eyewitness accounts strongly point to IS Sahel as the culprits.

HRW has categorically condemned these actions as war crimes and blatant human rights violations. The militant group's actions not only spread terror among the populace but also pose severe challenges to the region's stability and security.

The military junta, which took power in Niger following a coup in July 2023, has been under heavy criticism for its inability to curb the escalating violence. Since seizing control, approximately 1,600 civilian deaths have been documented. International pressure is mounting on the junta to strengthen its efforts against the insurgent threats, with Niger seeking assistance from countries like Turkey and Russia to bolster its defenses against IS Sahel fighters.

The United Nations has also voiced its condemnation of the ongoing violence, which it describes as a violation of international humanitarian law. In August, the UN Security Council undertook steps to organize an international response to the crisis, as outlined in their regional forecast report. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, specifically criticized the March attacks by IS Sahel, highlighting their severe breach of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, which safeguards the rights of civilians and detainees during times of conflict.

As the international community continues to scrutinize the situation, the urgency for a coordinated and effective response to protect the civilians of Tillabéri and restore peace in the region grows increasingly critical.