Attacks by jihadists from the Islamic State organization in the Sahel have intensified since Sunday May 22 in the border area between Niger and Mali, pushing local populations north.
The villages of Emis-Emis, Inecar, Igadou and Aghazraghen were particularly targeted.
“It is a relief area, with vegetation and rich in water, which allows jihadist fighters to hide from drone detection,” explains Wassim Nasr, a France 24 journalist specializing in jihadist groups.
"According to the local populations, the jihadists have suffered many losses with a retreat towards the Inarabane area [located in Mali], which has become a new sanctuary for them", continues the journalist.
"They are trying to create a vacuum around the border".
The actions of the terrorist group had already multiplied since the beginning of April.
"They attacked several Tuareg factions and committed massacres of civilians in several villages," said Wassim Nasr.
An unequal response on the Malian side and on the Nigerian side
Faced with this resurgence of attacks, Mali's response is "almost non-existent".
"During the first fighting, there was only one helicopter strike that arrived after the battle. There were even abuses against the people who were fleeing", underlines Wassim Nasr.
On the Niger side, the state has managed to negotiate locally and individually with some of these jihadists to try to disengage them, which has made it possible to pacify certain areas, resulting in a strengthening of IS on the Malian side.
The establishment of new bases for the French armies may have helped, as well as the purchase of Turkish drones.
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