A major insurgent assault on Niger’s primary aviation hub left at least 35 people dead on Thursday, marking the second such breach of the facility’s security this year.
The Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked organisation, has claimed responsibility for the strike against Diori Hamani International Airport. The installation serves as a dual civilian airport and military base in the capital, reports BBC.
Niger’s Ministry of Defence reported that the fatalities include 11 soldiers and two civilians. Security forces neutralised 22 of the assailants during the engagement. An additional four attackers were wounded, while 20 suspects have been taken into custody.
Following the restoration of control by mid-morning, authorities recovered a significant cache of weaponry. The seized materiel included RPG-7 launchers, AK-47 rifles, grenades, explosives, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, alongside specialised communications equipment.
The violence erupted around 05:50 (04:50 GMT), shortly after residents finished their morning prayers. Lawalli Tsalha, a local resident, described hearing a powerful blast, initially mistaken for a bursting tyre, followed by sustained gunfire.
As security personnel launched a manhunt for insurgents attempting to hide amongst the local population, some residents reportedly took up sticks and machetes to assist in identifying strangers. By Thursday afternoon, the airport remained under lockdown as security forces conducted vehicle searches.
The airport is a critical security site that houses facilities for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a pact between the military governments of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, issued a strong condemnation of the assault and commended Nigerien forces for repelling the attackers.
This incident follows a similar raid in January, which was claimed by an Islamic State-linked group. That attack resulted in 20 insurgents killed and four soldiers wounded. Following the January event, the head of Niger’s military government, Abdourahamane Tiani, thanked Russia for its assistance while accusing France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of involvement, though no evidence was offered to support those claims.
In a bid to bolster security, authorities recently demolished several nearby neighbourhoods to mitigate “terrorist risks”. The airport’s perimeter has also been extended and outfitted with more than 350 surveillance cameras.
Niger has contended with a decade-long Islamist insurgency, with current military leaders having seized power partly due to the previous administration’s perceived failure to resolve regional jihadist violence.
