Deadly jihadist attack strikes Niamey airport, 11 dead in Niger

Niamey airport targeted in coordinated assault leaving 11 dead

The Nigerien capital’s international airport came under coordinated fire early Thursday as armed assailants launched a deadly assault, leaving eleven soldiers and two civilians dead. The attack, which unfolded around 06:00 local time and lasted nearly two hours, targeted a security checkpoint on the sole access road to the facility, just meters from the terminal entrance.

According to defense officials, the attackers—some reportedly wearing explosive belts—attempted to breach the airport premises. However, prompt intervention by security forces thwarted their advance, preventing further casualties and damage. A subsequent statement from the Ministry of Defense confirmed the provisional toll: 13 fatalities among security personnel and civilians, with four others injured. On the assailants’ side, twenty-two were killed and nearly twenty detained during follow-up operations.

A vast security sweep is currently underway around the airport and surrounding neighborhoods, where remnants of the assault team are believed to have fled. Authorities have assured that the airport remains operational, though Flightradar data indicates several inbound flights were delayed or rerouted as a precaution.

Attack echoes January assault on strategic infrastructure

This latest violence comes less than six months after a similar strike on the same airport, when jihadist militants targeted both the terminal and an adjacent military base for hours. The January attack, which caused significant material damage, prompted authorities to reinforce perimeter security. Measures included extending perimeter walls and installing over 350 surveillance cameras around the facility.

Defense analysts note that while security has been tightened, vulnerabilities persist. The July 2023 military takeover, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, has faced mounting pressure to curb escalating jihadist violence across the country. Despite military cooperation with international partners, armed groups continue to exploit gaps in defense systems, including critical infrastructure like airports.

Local residents reported chaotic scenes during Thursday’s assault, with gunfire erupting near the control point before spreading to surrounding districts. Witnesses, including a motorbike taxi driver, confirmed that some attackers were neutralized with assistance from civilians. Security operations remain ongoing as authorities work to restore full stability.