35 Killed as Gunmen Attack Niger’s Largest Airport in Deadly Assault

NIAMEY, Niger — At least 35 people were killed after heavily armed gunmen launched a coordinated attack on Niger’s largest airport in the capital, Niamey, on Thursday, marking the second major assault on the strategic facility in less than five months.

According to Niger’s Defence Ministry, the death toll includes 22 attackers, 11 soldiers and two civilians. Authorities also reported that four assailants were wounded and 20 suspects arrested during subsequent security operations.

The attack targeted Diori Hamani International Airport, a critical civilian and military installation that also hosts facilities linked to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc comprising Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Al-Qaeda Affiliate Claims Responsibility

Hours after the assault, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, underscoring the growing security challenges facing the West African nation.

Niger has battled Islamist insurgencies for more than a decade, with militant groups affiliated to both al-Qaeda and the Islamic State expanding their activities across the Sahel region.

Thursday’s attack comes just months after another assault on the same airport in January, when militants linked to the Islamic State group reportedly targeted the facility.

Explosions and Gunfire Wake Residents

Residents living near the airport said they were startled by explosions and sustained gunfire shortly after dawn prayers.

Lawalli Tsalha, who lives near the airport, said the sounds initially appeared to be an isolated explosion before the scale of the attack became clear.

“We finished our prayers and shortly afterwards heard a loud bang. It was only later that we realised there was an attack underway,” he said.

Witnesses reported scenes of panic as security forces moved quickly to secure the area and prevent attackers from advancing further into the capital.

Security Forces Launch Massive Manhunt

By mid-morning, authorities said the situation had been brought under control, and security personnel launched a large-scale operation to track down any remaining attackers.

Officials disclosed that a significant cache of weapons was recovered during the operation, including RPG-7 rocket launchers, AK-47 rifles, grenades, explosives, communication devices and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Some residents reportedly joined efforts to identify fleeing suspects, although security agencies urged civilians to avoid direct involvement in the operation.

One resident said attackers attempted to blend into nearby communities after the assault, complicating efforts to locate them.

Niger Accuses Foreign Actors

In a televised address, Niger’s Defence Ministry blamed what it described as “armed mercenaries” allegedly supported by France for the attack, though no evidence was publicly presented to support the claim.

French authorities had not immediately responded to the accusations.

Relations between Niger’s military government and France have remained strained since the July 2023 coup that brought the ruling junta to power. Following the coup, French troops stationed in Niger were ordered to withdraw and were largely replaced by Russian military contractors.

African Union Condemns Airport Attack

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, strongly condemned the assault and praised Nigerien security forces for successfully repelling the attackers and securing airport infrastructure.

The attack has once again highlighted the fragile security environment across the Sahel, where military-led governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso continue to struggle against persistent jihadist violence despite promises to restore stability.

Strategic Airport Under Increased Security

Diori Hamani International Airport remains one of Niger’s most strategically important facilities, serving both civilian aviation and military operations.

Following previous attacks, authorities intensified security measures around the airport, including extending perimeter fencing, installing more than 350 surveillance cameras and demolishing nearby settlements considered security risks.

Despite those measures, Thursday’s attack demonstrates the continued ability of militant groups to strike high-profile targets in the region.

The latest assault is expected to raise fresh concerns about security preparedness in Niger and the broader Sahel as governments continue efforts to combat extremist violence and protect critical infrastructure.