A recent attack in the Tillaberi region of Niger has highlighted rising violence between the Islamic State in the Sahel Province (ISSP) and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). ISSP claimed that its fighters assaulted on April 2, killing 35 JNIM members and seizing weapons and motorbikes. This incident is important because it marks the first time these rival groups have fought each other inside Niger. Earlier, their clashes had been limited to Mali and Burkina Faso, where they had battled for years. Experts from Armed Conflict Location & Event Data say this growing violence shows how weak government control is across the Sahel region. Because of this, armed groups can easily move, recruit new fighters, and expand their influence. Analysts also point out that poor security cooperation between Nigeria and Niger is creating gaps that these groups are using to spread their presence, which could lead to more conflict and instability.

Pray for the LORD’s intervention in Niger and the countries in the Sahel region to thwart the evildoers and their plans against the peace and prosperity of the nations. Pray for the divine protection for all the innocent civilians in the region (The Holy Bible, Zechariah 2:8).

Pray for a breakthrough against the strongholds of terrorist groups in Niger and the nations in the Sahel region. Pray for the LORD to cut all the unholy alliances and foreign support of these groups and their evil works in the region (The Holy Bible, Psalm 129:4).

News Source: Reuters, Devdiscourse

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