: February 2019 SITREP and Chronology of Violent Incidents Related to Al-Qaeda affiliates Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), , and Armed Bandits March 10th, 2019 By Rida Lyammouri

Disclaimer: This report was compiled from open-source documents, social media, news reports, and local participants. 2016-2019 Sahel MeMo LLC All Rights Reserved. NIGER: FEBRUARY 2019 SITREP, ANALYSIS, AND NOTABLE TRENDS • Civil society and professional associations launched on February 14 campaign of “dead city” in Tillabéri city to express discontent against security measures and curfew imposed at night time. According to Cluster Protection internally displaced populations (IDP) of Tillabéri region live in a very unstable security context due to the upsurge of protection incidents, the intensification of military operations (Dongo-G5 Sahel, Saki 2 Joint Operations Dongo / Barkhane), and the extension of the state of emergency in 10 departments bordering with Mali and Burkina Faso. As of February 28, there are approximately 50,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Tillabéri region (source: cluster protection). • According to Cluster Protection, during the month of February 2019, 55 protection incidents were reported in the Tillabéri region including: 18 cases of incursions and attacks by elements of non-state armed groups in the communes of , Abala, , Goroual, Bankilaré, , Téra, , Ayérou, and . In addition, there were reprisals resulting 6 cases of kidnapping and 5 cases of targeted killings of civilians, mainly to deter civilians from collaborating with security forces, and administrative authorities. 2 cases of improvised explosive device (IED) explosions also recorded with 5 cases of inter-communal conflict, 11 cases of physical aggression and 8 cases of theft and extortion of property perpetrated by members of armed groups on routes leading to weekly markets. • During February 2019 abductions of civilians and traditional leaders in Region continued by suspected members of Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) or Boko Haram militants. Despite low and limited number of deadly attacks by both militant groups around the Lake of Chad, locals continued to express their security concerns and inability to move freely and conduct their income generating activities, such as trade and fishing. • Reportedly, between 04 – 11 February more than 100 members of the Movement for Justice and Rehabilitation of Niger (MJRN) agreed to lay down their weapons and vehicles in , Region. The group previously threatened to carry attacks against Nigerien security forces. • Niger witnessed first major attack by suspected militant groups of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen or Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS) in Dosso Region on the borders with Nigeria. This attack came weeks after rumors of militant cell being dismantled while trying to establish itself in the area. NIGER: Placement of IDPs in Tillabéri and Region as of 28 February 2019. Source: Cluster Protection. NIGER: LOCALISATION DES PERSONNES DEPLACEES INTERNES DANS LES REGIONS DE TILLABERI ET TAHOUA Mise à jour du 28 février 2019 excluant les mouvements secondaires et tertiaires 0°0'0" 1°0'0"E 2°0'0"E 3°0'0"E 4°0'0"E 5°0'0"E

Légende # TOTAL DE PDI 62671 !( Village accueillant des déplacés internes Région Département #PDI Limite départementale

N Tillaberi Abala 26472 N " " 0 0 ' '

0 Bande de 50 km de la frontière 0 ° °

7 Tillaberi Ayorou 14737 7 1 999 1 Limite internationale Tillaberi * 665 (! Tillaberi Ouallam* 1200

Tillaberi Tillaberi 1466 150 !( !( Tahoua Tassara 2360 164 (!1047 Tahoua 15771

* Un processus d'actualisation/vérification (!688 est en cours avec les autorités locales 303 N N " "

0 !( 0 ' ' 0 0 ° °

6 6 1 TILLIA 1

Agadez 7008 !( (! 118 M A L II (!818 1207 4655 (! Tahoua Diffa (! Tillabery Maradi 12000 974 Dosso 1880 (! (! (!1311 200 !( 1696 ! 768 (2!(59 (!(! (!903 AYOROU 10121

N 465 !( 1887 N " (!1073 " 0 0 ' (! (! ' 678 0 464 BANIBANGOU T a h o u a 0 ° !( (! T a h o u a ° 5 !( TAHOUA 5 1 1079 152 1 (! 280 (!789 1200 ABALA 3037 (! KEITA 2!(30 (!1180 (!1422 OUALLAM

TILLABERI ILLELA 887 T i l l a b e r i B U R K II N A (! T i l l a b e r i !( 579 F A S O

N TERA N " " 0 0 ' '

0 GOTHEYE 0 ° ° 4 4 1 BIRNI N'KONNI 1 50km DOGON-DOUTCHI

Les noms et les limites utilisés sur cette carte n'impliquent aucune acceptation ou reconnaissance officielle du Cluster Protection. Date de création: 5/ 3/ 2019 Source: Monitoring de protection Auteur: Cluster Protection Feedback: Bacharou Salissou, [email protected] Nom du fichier: NER_TILLABERI_TAHOUA_PDI_28_FEV_2019 Pour plus d'information visitez: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/en/operations/niger/protection FEB 2019 Chronology of Violent Incidents by JNIM, ISGS, ISWAP, Boko Haram, and Armed Bandits 01 FEB 19: Suspected Boko Haram or ISWAP militants attacked Bague Djaradi village, Commune in . At least 7 people killed.

03 FEB 19: Suspected Boko Haram or ISWAP militants entered Maniram village in Diffa Region and abducted 7 girls.

13 FEB 19: Suspected JNIM or ISGS militants attacked a gendarmerie post located at Bagagi market on the borders with Nigeria, Dosso Region. 3 gendarmes and 1 civilian killed. Reportedly militants initially launched RPG rockets prior to shooting security forces present.

17 FEB 19: ISWAP militants attacked national guard post at Cherima Wangou (25km SW of Diffa), Diffa Region. Ministry of Interior released statement and said 7 soldiers killed and 6 injured while 8 militants also killed. Vehicles and arms also seized from militants.

17 FEB 19: Female suicide bomber carried an attack against Bosso village, Diffa Region. In addition to suicide bomber, 1 civilian killed who reportedly was in charge of security of local mosque. According to same source 2 other women managed to escape.

18 FEB 19: Unidentified gunmen ambushed Nigerien Army convoy near Korie Kantana, Agadez Region. 1 senior officer and 1 driver killed, and unknown number of soldiers injured. (Source: Agadez Air-Info)

19 FEB 19: Reportedly dispute between farmers and herders turned violent in Gaidam Tchoukou, Diffa Region. 1 farmer killed and others injured. This came weeks after official visit by minister of interior Mohamed Bazoum promoting decentralization, religious and traditional authorities.

20 FEB 19: Three people, two women and one man taken by suspected ISWAP or Boko Haram militants at Ngagam, Diffa Region. FEB 2019 Chronology of Violent Incidents by JNIM, ISGS, ISWAP, Boko Haram, and Armed Bandits 20 FEB 19: Unidentified gunmen intercepted and robbed delegation traveling to Festival de L’Air in , Agadez Region.

22 FEB 19: Suspected ISWAP or Boko Haram militants attacked Garin-Amadou village, Diffa Region. At least 4 fishermen [2 Nigeriens and 2 Nigerians] killed and 7 others went missing.

22 FEB 19: Suspected JNIM or ISGS militants assassinated military guide in Oueze Bangou village, Tillabéri Region. He was initially abducted before being executed.

24 FEB 19: Suspected ISWAP or Boko Haram militants abducted four traditional chiefs in Dewa village, Diffa Region.

24 FEB 19: Suspected ISWAP or Boko Haram militants abducted village chief of Kagare village, Diffa Region.

26 FEB 19: Village chief of N’Gourti, Diffa Region killed by Nigerien Army under unclear circumstances near “zone pétrolière” of Agadem and Bidouarem village. Village chief is reportedly of Tebu origin.

27 FEB 19: Suspected ISWAP or Boko Haram militants abducted 1 civilian at Lada (10km from Diffa), Diffa Region.