The Islamic State in the Sahel has claimed responsibility for an attack on the international airport and adjacent air force base in Niamey, Niger, according to the SITE Intelligence Group. The assault began shortly after midnight on Thursday, with motorcycle-riding militants using heavy weaponry and drones in a 'surprise and coordinated' strike, as reported by the group's Amaq news agency.
The attack damaged at least three aircraft: one belonging to Air Côte d'Ivoire and two to Togolese airline Asky. A source at Asky confirmed that staff were in their hotel away from the scene, with passports still held by authorities. The gunfire and explosions occurred about 6 miles from the presidential palace and Base Aérienne 101, a military base previously used by US and then Russian troops.
Nigerien authorities stated that security forces repelled the attackers, killing 20 and arresting 11 others. A stash of ammunition caught fire during the incident. The attack coincided with a drone assault by Islamic State West Africa Province on an army base in Borno, Nigeria, which left at least nine soldiers dead.
Niger has been under junta rule since the July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The junta has blamed neighbouring Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, and former colonial power France for instability, without evidence. Since the coup, Niger left the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) and joined Burkina Faso and Mali in the Association of Sahel States (AES), which views some Ecowas members as French proxies.
