Military government says 11 soldiers, 22 terrorists killed in early Thursday attack on Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport
A preliminary report from Niger's military government, monitored by PREMIUM TIMES, states that 11 soldiers and 22 terrorists were killed early Thursday during an assault on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey. Two civilians also died in the attack, which began near the airport's main entrance. Security forces sealed off the area and placed the capital on maximum alert, launching a sweep to hunt down fleeing assailants who abandoned a weapons cache during their retreat.
The incident underscores Niger's persistent security challenges, coming less than a year after a similar January attack at the same airport by IS-Sahel militants using motorcycles, mortars, and drones. Niger has faced a decade-long Islamist insurgency, with threats from IS-Sahel and JNIM in the west and Boko Haram/ISWAP in the southeast. The military junta, which seized power promising to end regional violence, continues to confront multi-front extremist violence that destabilizes the broader Sahel.
For readers, this highlights ongoing risks to air travel and regional stability. While no direct action is required for Nigerians, staying informed through credible sources and heeding any travel advisories from authorities remains prudent as the situation develops.