At least 35 people were killed on Thursday after heavily armed militants launched an attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in the Nigerien capital, Niamey, marking the second assault on the facility in less than five months.
According to Niger’s Defence Ministry, the dead include 22 attackers, 11 soldiers and two civilians. Four militants were wounded and 20 suspects were arrested following the attack.
Residents reported hearing explosions and gunfire shortly after dawn prayers on Thursday, as security Forces engaged the assailants near the airport, which also serves as a Military base and strategic security installation. The Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Authorities said security forces eventually repelled the assault and launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers. A significant cache of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers, assault rifles, explosives and ammunition, was reportedly seized during the operation.
The attack underscores the persistent security challenges facing Niger, which has battled Islamist insurgencies for more than a decade. The airport was also targeted in January, when an attack claimed by a group linked to the so-called Islamic State left several military personnel injured.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, condemned the assault and commended Nigerien security forces for securing the airport and preventing further damage.
Diori Hamani International Airport is considered one of Niger’s most sensitive installations, hosting both civilian and military operations, as well as facilities linked to the Alliance of Sahel States, the regional bloc comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
The attack comes despite recent security upgrades around the airport, including expanded perimeter fencing, enhanced surveillance systems and the demolition of nearby settlements deemed security risks by the authorities.