Niger: Muslims murder 79 people in attacks on two villages

Why do I write “Muslims” when the BBC writes “Islamist militants”? The BBC is trying to imply that the killers are not true Muslims, but are following an “extremist” hijacking of the religion. But in reality, the killers are almost certainly motivated by Islamic texts and teachings calling for warfare against those who are considered unbelievers. Hence the term “Muslims” is actually more accurate and appropriate than “Islamist militants.”

“Suspected Islamists kill dozens in attacks on two Niger villages,” BBC, January 3, 2021:

Suspected Islamist militants have attacked two villages in Niger, with reports of dozens of civilians killed.

Around 49 died and 17 were injured in the village of Tchombangou, while another 30 died in Zaroumdareye – both near Niger’s western border with Mali, Reuters reports.

There have been several recent violent incidents in Africa’s Sahel region, carried out by militant groups.

France said on Saturday that two of its soldiers were killed in Mali.

Hours earlier, a group with links to al-Qaeda said it was behind the killing of three French troops in a separate attack in Mali on Monday….