2021 Adab-Dab attack
{{Short description|2021 terrorist attack in Niger}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = 2021 Adab-Dab attack
| location = Adab-Dab, Tillabéri Region, Niger
| date = 2 November 2021
| partof = the jihadist insurgency in Niger
| fatalities = 69
| injuries = Unknown
| perpetrator = Islamic State in the Greater Sahara
}}
{{Campaignbox Jihadist insurgency in Niger}}
On 2 November 2021, gunmen of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara ambushed a delegation being held by the mayor of Bani-Bangou in the village of Adab-Dab, Niger. The attack killed the town mayor and 68 others.{{Cite web |title=Nearly 70 Dead in Village Attack in Southwestern Niger {{!}} Farsnews Agency |url=https://www.farsnews.ir/en/news/14000814000045/Nearly-0-Dead-in-Village-Aack-in-Shwesern-Niger |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=www.farsnews.ir}}
Background
Niger has had a jihadist insurgency since 2015, when Islamist groups from Mali began to spread their influence into the country. Since then, the "tri-border" area between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso has been the epicenter for jihadism. At least 74 jihadist attacks were carried out in Niger and 530 people were killed by them in 2021.{{Cite web |title=Niger declares two days of mourning after nearly 70 killed |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/4/dozens-dead-in-west-niger-village-attack-officials |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Niger |url=https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2021/niger/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=United States Department of State |language=en-US}}
Attack
The attack began at around 8:30 GMT when gunmen on motorcycles attacked a delegation in the village of Adab-Dab.{{Cite web |title=Dozens Dead in West Niger Attack by Jihadis |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/west-niger-jihadist-attack/6300259.html |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Voice of America}} The delegation was being held by the mayor of Bani-Bangou, a town just 55 kilometers (32 miles) away. The gunmen mainly targeted members of local self-defense militias.{{Cite web |date=2021-11-08 |title=Africanews {{!}} Niger: Banibangou western Niger residents saddened, frustrated over jihadist massacres |url=http://www.africanews.com/amp/2021/11/08/niger-banibangou-western-niger-residents-saddened-frustrated-over-jihadist-massacres/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Africanews |language=en}} After the attack, the perpetrators fled to Mali, taking the bodies of dead fighters with them. 69 people were killed during the attack, including Bani-Bangou's mayor and the leader of a local self-defense militia,{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Niger declares national mourning after gun attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-59172655 |access-date=2023-08-28 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} and only 15 survived, several of them wounded.
Reactions
= Domestic =
= International =
{{Flag|France}}
- France condemned the attack "in the strongest possible terms" and offered its condolences to the families of the victims and the Nigerien people. France also stated that it stands with Niger to combat terrorism and protect its people.{{Cite web |last=étrangères |first=Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires |title=Niger – Attack on Banibangou (Nov. 2, 2021) |url=https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/niger/news/article/niger-attack-on-banibangou-nov-2-2021 |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=France Diplomacy – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |language=en}}
{{Flag|United States}}
- The United States condemned the attack and expressed their "most heartfelt" condolences to the victims and their families. They described the attack as "ungodly" and "unholy," and stated that there is no need for cowardly attacks against civilians in the modern world.{{Cite web |last=Niger |first=U. S. Embassy |date=2021-11-08 |title=U.S. Embassy Niamey Mourns Those Who Died and Condemns the Perpetrators of the Terrorist Attack in Tillaberi Region |url=https://ne.usembassy.gov/u-s-embassy-niamey-mourns-those-who-died-and-condemns-the-perpetrators-of-the-terrorist-attack-in-tillaberi-region/ |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=U.S. Embassy in Niger |language=en-US}}
{{Flag|Turkey}}
- The Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attack, and described it as a "heinous terrorist attack".{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Turkey strongly condemns terror attack killing near 70 in Niger |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/diplomacy/turkey-strongly-condemns-terror-attack-killing-near-70-in-niger |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Daily Sabah}}{{Cite web |title=Turkey strongly condemns 'heinous terrorist attack' in Niger |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-strongly-condemns-heinous-terrorist-attack-in-niger/2412432 |access-date=2023-09-14 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}