Turkey decries terrorist attack in Niger

By Seda Sevencan

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkey on Wednesday condemned a "heinous" terrorist attack in Niger that caused many casualties.

"We are deeply saddened by the news that 58 innocent civilians lost their lives in a terrorist attack carried out in Tillaberi, located in the Banibangou region of northern Niger, on 15 March 2021," the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.

"We strongly condemn this heinous terrorist attack," it said, extending condolences to the government of Niger.

The country also wished "Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives," added the statement.

The Tillaberi region has been frequently targeted by terrorist groups based in Mali since 2017, with a state of emergency declared in the area.

Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali in the Sahel are at the epicenter of one of the world's fastest-growing displacement and protection crises.

The region is already hosting 851,000 refugees and nearly 2 million displaced people, according to the UN refugee agency.

In January, around 100 people were also killed in attacks after the first round of presidential elections. The incidents occurred in two villages in Tillaberi.