Deadly Assault on Niger's Main Airport
NIAMEY – Thirty-five people lost their lives when gunmen struck Niger's largest airport on Thursday, marking the second attack on the facility in less than five months, according to officials. Residents in the predominantly Muslim nation told the BBC they had just completed their morning prayers when explosions and gunfire erupted at Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital, Niamey.
In the evening, Niger’s defense ministry reported that the fatalities included 22 assailants, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. The attack occurred despite heightened security measures following a similar incident in January.
Background of Insurgency
Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for a decade. In January, a group linked to the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on the same airport. No organization has yet claimed responsibility for Thursday's assault.
The violence subsided by mid-morning, and security forces launched a manhunt for the attackers. Lawalli Tsalha, a resident living near the airport, which also houses a military base, told the BBC: “We finished our prayer at about 05:50 (04:50 GMT) and shortly afterwards we heard a loud bang – like something had exploded, perhaps a tyre. It was only a little later that we realised what was happening.”
Civilian Involvement
Armed local residents joined the search, though witnesses said security personnel tried to prevent civilians from getting involved. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, stated: “The attackers mixed in with the local population, so finding them was not easy. Civilians picked up machetes and sticks to defend themselves and to strike anyone they did not recognise who came their way.”
The airport area remained sealed off on Thursday afternoon, with security forces inspecting vehicles entering and leaving the vicinity.
Strategic Importance
Diori Hamani International Airport is one of Niger’s most sensitive security installations, serving as both a civilian aviation hub and a military base. It also hosts facilities linked to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. All three nations are governed by juntas that came to power partly due to failures in addressing years of jihadist violence in the region.
In January's attack on the airport, four military personnel were injured and 20 attackers were killed, according to Niger’s defense ministry. At that time, the head of Niger’s military government, Abdourahamane Tiani, thanked Russia for its assistance in thwarting the attack. He also accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of supporting those responsible, without providing evidence or details of Russian help.
Recent Security Measures
In recent weeks, authorities in Niger have demolished neighborhoods near the airport, citing “terrorist risks.” They have also extended the airport’s perimeter fence and installed over 350 surveillance cameras, according to AFP reports.
