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2d ago

Gunfire Erupts at Niamey Airport Gate in Suspected Jihadist Attack

Raising fresh doubts about the junta's ability to secure strategic sites, the incident could push Niamey toward greater reliance on foreign security partners.

Image satellite de l'aéroport de Niamey prise le 29 janvier 2026 par Planet Labs PBC après une attaque la veille
Des voyageurs arrivent à l'aéroport international Diori Hamani de Niamey, au Niger, le 22 septembre 2023
Vue générale de l'aéroport international de Niamey, la capitale du Niger, le 10 septembre 2023
Image satellite fournie par Planet Labs PBC, le 29 janvier 2026, de l'aéroport de Niamey, au Niger, où des dégâts sont visibles sur les toits des hangars, au lendemain d'une attaque

Overview

  • The shooting began at the airport's main gate around 06:00 on June 18 and lasted for hours, witnesses and social media said, prompting a heavy military cordon and suspension of some passenger movements.
  • Security forces swept nearby neighbourhoods such as Route Tchanga with assistance from residents and by mid-morning some witnesses reported calm as troops chased and detained suspects.
  • Nigerien authorities said the attack killed 11 soldiers and two civilians, wounded four people, and left 22 assailants dead, with about 20 suspects arrested during the response.
  • The episode follows a large January 29 strike on the same site claimed by Islamic State and comes despite recent airport hardening measures including demolitions, a lengthened perimeter wall, and installation of more than 350 cameras.
  • The repeated strikes underline persistent security gaps under the military junta and could deepen Niamey's operational reliance on partners such as Russia while complicating ties with former allies.