Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Over 30 casualties in a suicide bombing that targeted the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.
Iranian Shura Council recommends the closure of the Hormuz Strait and leaves the decision up to the Iranian National Security Council.
IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour: As time passes, the people's solidarity increases, which is a divine blessing
IRGC Commander Major General Mohammad Pakpour: The Iranian Revolution Guard Corps' aerospace operations will not stop
Russian Foreign Ministry: IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi must ensure that an objective report is presented at the special session of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Russian Foreign Ministry: The UN Security Council must respond to the US attacks on Iran
Russian Foreign Ministry: We strongly condemn the US strikes on Iran, calling the decision irresponsible
Iranian Red Crescent: Three personnel martyred, 29 injured in Israeli aggression
IRGC: We have identified and monitored the departure points of the US aircraft that carried out the aggression
IRGC: America has neither the initiative nor the ability to escape the consequences of a powerful response

Armed Groups Kill And Recruit Children in Niger

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Sep 2021 11:49
3 Min Read

Amnesty International reported that armed groups are killing and recruiting children in Niger, especially at the border with Mali and Burkina Faso.

  • x
  • Death and ruin engulf a whole generation in Niger
    Death and ruin engulf a whole generation in Niger. 

An increasing number of children are being killed and recruited by armed groups in Niger, especially in the border areas with Burkina Faso and Mali, where armed groups have doubled their attacks in recent months, Amnesty International reported today. 

"In Niger's Tillaberi region, an entire generation is growing up surrounded by death and destruction. Armed groups have repeatedly attacked schools and food stores; these groups are targeting children to be recruited," said Amnesty's Assistant Director Wat Wells.

On Monday, Amnesty International released a 57-page report on the growing consequences of the conflict for children in the Tillaberi region.

The tri-border area witnesses frequent attacks by ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) and the al-Qaida-affiliated Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).

According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project on which Amnesty's report is based, acts of violence against civilians in Niger killed 544 people between January 1 and July 29, 2021, compared to 397 in 2020.

Amnesty reported the killing of about 60 children in the tri-border area, based on testimonies of boys who had survived an ISIS attack.

Related News

Algeria closes airspace to Mali, recalls ambassadors over drone row

Niger’s junta leader Tiani sworn in as president for five years

A boy who witnessed the killing of his 12-year-old friend in March recounted, "At one point, Abdoulwahab Wahab stopped to talk to the [fighters]. They shot him in the side, and he died shortly after."

Another child cited Wahab’s last words - What have I done? - he then said, "I remember his words well."

A third boy, also a friend of Wahab, said "I think of Wahab and how he was killed. Sometimes I have nightmares of being chased by people on motorbikes or seeing Wahab pleading with the [attackers] again."

Although the report accuses ISIS in the Greater Sahara of committing the most significant part of the large-scale massacres, the organization also condemns the recruitment of boys between the ages of 15 and 17, mostly by the al-Qaida-affiliated JNIM, especially in the Torodi province near Burkina Faso.

Many attacks also target schools, according to Amnesty, which indicates that more than 31,000 children have dropped out of school, an increase of 10,000 children from last year.

"Niger is on the brink of an abyss," warned Matt Wells, Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Deputy Director. "Nigerian authorities and international partners must take urgent measures to protect children and secure their rights."

Earlier, gunmen attacked a village in southwestern Niger, killing at least 16 people as part of repeated operations that killed more than 420 civilians in 2021.

  • Niger

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • Today

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Iran UN Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani addresses a United Nations Security Council meeting, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Iran demands urgent UN Security Council session over US airstrikes

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, testifies before a hearing April 18, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington (AP/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
US & Canada

Trump aides pushed war on Iran with Mossad-fed intel, ignoring dissent

This photo released on Nov. 5, 2019, by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran shows centrifuge machines in the Natanz uranium enrichment facility in central Iran. (Atomic Energy Organization of Iran via AP, File)
Politics

Iran: Minor damage to nuclear sites after US attack, no radiation

The U.S. Capitol, on June 5, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
Politics

US lawmakers condemn Trump’s strikes on Iran; MAGA base frustrated

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS