Niger's government has declared three days of mourning after a tragic attack on a mosque in the southwestern town of Kokorou left at least 44 civilians dead and 13 injured. The assault was attributed to members of the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) group, which has been active in the region, according to officials.

The attack occurred as worshippers gathered for prayer in the Fambita quarter of Kokorou, where gunmen surrounded the mosque and launched a brutal assault, described by Niger's Interior Minister Mohamed Toumba as a "savage" act against civilians. Le Monde reported that four out of the injured remain in critical condition.

The government of Niger has faced an escalating wave of violence in recent years, largely due to the presence of armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL exploiting instability in the Sahel region. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges that have plagued the country, with over 2,400 civilians reportedly killed since July 2023, according to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED).

In response to the tragedy, officials declared a 72-hour period of national mourning starting Saturday, with flags flying at half-mast across the nation. "The assault was a cowardly and inhumane act," the interior ministry said, promising to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and ensure justice for the victims. Al Jazeera emphasized that authorities are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

This deadly incident is part of a broader trend in the Sahel, where violence has surged, prompting numerous military coups in recent years in neighboring countries like Mali and Burkina Faso. The Nigerien government asserts that a comprehensive investigation will be initiated, reinforcing their resolve to combat extremist groups active in the region, as noted by TRT Global.