44 Killed in Mosque Attack Amid Ramadan in Niger

A brutal attack by suspected members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) resulted in the deaths of 44 civilians at a mosque in Fambita, southwestern Niger, during Friday prayers amid Ramadan. The perpetrators, heavily armed, also set fire to a market and nearby houses before retreating. This region, near the tri-border area with Mali and Burkina Faso, has become a hotbed for jihadist insurgencies. Following a 2023 coup, Niger severed ties with many Western counter-terrorism allies, contributing to a rise in terrorist attacks. The government has declared three days of national mourning, while the security situation continues to deteriorate despite efforts to strengthen regional cooperation through the Alliance of Sahel States. Analysts note a significant increase in violence against civilians in the Sahel region since local juntas took power.