Assault on Niamey Airport Leaves 13 Dead

The violence began around 6 a.m. as gunfire and explosions erupted at the Niamey complex, which houses both the civilian terminal and a strategic military airbase. Witnesses reported that attackers arrived in two white vehicles, with some militants reportedly positioning themselves inside a nearby customs building. By midday, officials declared the situation under control and civil aviation authorities confirmed that airport operations had resumed.

This incident follows a wave of coordinated strikes across the country. On Wednesday, militants targeted military bases in Banibangou and Inates within the Tillaberi region, resulting in significant casualties and the abandonment of the Inates outpost. While no group has claimed responsibility for the airport attack, the region remains a hotspot for jihadist factions linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. These groups continue to destabilize Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, forcing millions from their homes and threatening security infrastructure across the Sahel.