The Diplomat
The Spanish government yesterday condemned the latest attack in Niger on Monday, in which more than 60 people were killed and wounded, and reiterated its support for the fight against terrorism in the Sahel.
A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in addition to expressing its condolences to the Government and people of Niger and the families of the victims, said that “Spain continues to support all efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism in the Sahel region, and hopes that such acts will not go unpunished”.
The Government of Niger reported on Tuesday that an armed group attacked a group of traders returning from a weekly market in Banibangou, in the Tillabéri region in the west of the country, near the border with Mali. The terrorist action killed 58 civilians and wounded several others.
The Sahel region, and in particular the border area between Mali, Burkina Faso and western Niger, has experienced a serious deterioration in security as a result of the actions of terrorist groups operating there, mainly Al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates.