Nearly 130 people have been summarily executed by Islamist insurgents in Niger in separate attacks since March, a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) reveals.

The rights group outlines a series of brutal attacks, including a mass murder at a mosque in the western Tillabéri region in June, where more than 70 worshippers were shot dead during prayers.

There were bodies everywhere, one on top of the other, a local woman, bereaved of three sons in the attack, recounted to HRW.

This wave of violence represents a significant blow to the military junta's credibility, which had committed to combating the insurgency after toppling President Mohamed Bazoum in 2023.

Human Rights Watch reports that around 1,600 civilians have been killed by ISIS fighters since the coup, highlighting the severe human rights violations taking place.

Furthermore, jihadist groups continue to destroy schools and impose strict restrictions on individual freedoms based on their interpretation of Islam.

Ilaria Allegrozzi, a senior HRW researcher, stated, Islamist armed groups are targeting the civilian population in western Niger and committing horrific abuses, urging Nigerien authorities to enhance protections for residents of the Tillabéri region.

Despite documented attacks, the Nigerien army has not commented on HRW's report, while eyewitnesses have implicated ISIS in these assaults. The Tillabéri region, bordering Burkina Faso and Mali, has been a center for insurgent activity for the past decade.

In light of ongoing violence, Niger, along with military-led neighboring countries, is striving to reinforce security measures and form alliances against the jihadist threats, while facing criticism over their effectiveness in protecting civilians.