(AbsoluteNews.com) – Terrorism has been on the rise in Africa over the last decade. In 2021, jihadists have already murdered more than 530 people in Niger alone. Sadly, dozens more have recently been added to the list of casualties.
On Tuesday, November 2, the mayor of Banibangou was leading a delegation of civilians out of town when armed gunmen ambushed them. The mayor was among 69 people killed during the attack while 15 people survived the vicious assault.
This week, a #terrorist attack took the lives of 69 people near the tri-border area in #Niger 🇳🇪 and wounded several.
We stand in solidarity with the victims of this atrocious act.#VictimsOfTerrorism 🕯️ pic.twitter.com/gzhmSDR6Dl
— UNODC Terrorism Prevention (@UNODC_TPB) November 5, 2021
The attack took place in the tri-border area with Mali and Burkina Faso. The area has been the epicenter of the fight against ISIS-linked groups. Niger’s Interior Minister Alkache Alhada confirmed the attack was carried out by Islamic extremists. According to reports, the killer belonged to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara group.
Last month, gunmen attacked a mosque in Banibangou, killing 10 people while they were praying. In August, Islamic extremists carried out a similar attack in the same area. Thirty-seven people lost their lives.
On October 28, the US committed to supporting France’s military operations by sending extra resources to western Africa to combat the rise in terrorism. President Joe Biden agreed to send more American troops to the continent as well. It’s unclear what impact the two countries will have on combating the jihadists.
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