Niger's junta announced plans to establish and train local self‑defense groups called "Domol Leydi" (protectors of the homeland), creating auxiliary units made up of volunteers, including former security personnel and local residents, to support national defense efforts under state oversight, RFI reported on March 30. These units are intended to assist Niger's armed forces by conducting awareness‑raising, intelligence gathering and community self‑protection activities, with the government providing weapons, equipment and defined benefits while requiring obedience to defense directives.

The move, adopted by the Council of Ministers on March 27, fits into a broader general mobilization declared in late 2025 as the junta seeks to address persistent jihadist threats. These threats have grown since the withdrawal of foreign troops following Niger's July 2023 coup, resulting in ongoing insecurity in regions affected by groups such as the Islamic State Sahel Province and al Qaeda affiliates.