The attack, which occurred in the town of Kokorou, killed at least 44 people and wounded another 13 individuals.

Qatar has strongly condemned the bombing of a mosque in southwestern Niger, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Qatar’s firm rejection of violence, and emphasised its unwavering stance against targeting places of worship and terrorising innocent civilians. The statement also expressed Qatar’s solidarity with the government of Niger in its efforts to maintain security.

The attack, which occurred in the town of Kokorou, claimed at least 44 lives, with another 13 individuals wounded.

According to Niger’s interior ministry, the assailants surrounded the mosque during a prayer service in the afternoon, launching an attack that authorities called “unusual cruelty.” The attackers also set fire to a local market and nearby homes.

No claim of responsibility

Niger’s defence ministry has attributed the attack to the Islamic State in the Great Sahara (EIGS), an affiliate of ISIL. While no group has yet claimed responsibility, previous attacks in Niger have been linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIL-affiliated groups operating in the Sahel region.

In response, the government of Niger has declared three days of national mourning. Officials have vowed to pursue those responsible and bring them to justice.

The military-led government, which has been engaged in an ongoing battle against armed groups in the region, frequently faces attacks targeting both security forces and civilians.

The wider Sahel region has been plagued by instability, with armed groups expanding their operations across borders into Burkina Faso, Mali, and coastal West African nations such as Togo and Ghana.

The failure of governments to contain the violence has contributed to multiple coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger between 2020 and 2023, all of which remain under military rule despite international pressure for democratic transitions.