Niamey, Niger — A violent assault on the Diori Hamani International Airport on June 18 left 35 individuals dead, marking the second major attack in just over four months. This latest event has raised serious concerns over security in a country grappling with ongoing insurgency challenges.
According to the Nigerien defense ministry, the fatalities included 22 attackers, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. The militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), affiliated with al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the assault, emphasizing the worsening security situation in the region.
Witnesses reported that the chaos began shortly after early morning prayers, around 5:50 a.m. local time, with loud explosions and gunfire echoing through the area. Lawalli Tsalha, a nearby resident, recalled initially mistaking the first explosion for a vehicle tire blowing out. The violence subsided by mid-morning, but a rigorous manhunt was initiated to track down any remaining attackers, resulting in the apprehension of 20 suspects and the discovery of a significant cache of weapons.
Local residents took up arms to assist security forces, although officials attempted to limit civilian involvement. An unnamed source described the attackers’ ability to blend into the local community, making it difficult for residents to identify them. Civilians resorted to using makeshift weapons to protect their neighborhoods from potential threats.
By the afternoon, the airport’s perimeter remained secured, with officials conducting thorough inspections of incoming and outgoing vehicles. By nightfall, the National Civil Aviation Agency announced that airport operations had resumed normalcy.
In a televised address, Niger’s defense ministry accused “armed mercenaries” of carrying out the assault, suggesting that they were funded by France, although no evidence was provided to support this claim. Relations between Niger’s military government, which came to power following a coup in July 2023, and France have been increasingly strained. After the coup, French troops were expelled, and Russian military contractors stepped in to fill the void.
The African Union’s Mahmoud Ali Youssouf condemned the attack, commending Nigerien forces for their swift response, which prevented further devastation at the airport. Diori Hamani International serves as a vital hub for both civilian and military operations, housing the Alliance of Sahel States’ headquarters.
Niger’s fight against Islamist insurgency has intensified over the past decade, with extremist groups inflicting violence throughout the Sahel region. Just five months prior, a similar attack at the same airport resulted in injuries to four military personnel and the deaths of 20 attackers, aimed at disrupting military drone operations.
General Abdourahamane Tiani, who has led Niger’s military government for three years, has publicly expressed gratitude for Russian support during crises, while accusing leaders from France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of backing hostile elements, though details and evidence for this claim remain unsubstantiated.
Recently, the Nigerien government demolished neighborhoods around the airport, citing security concerns. Additionally, they have extended the airport’s perimeter fence and installed more than 350 surveillance cameras in response to ongoing threats.
Security experts have pointed out that the symbolism of the airport as a strategic site for military collaboration among Niger and its neighbors ensures it will likely remain a target for extremist groups. The persistent threat of jihadist violence looms large over the Sahel region, with Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali all grappling with mounting insecurity amid efforts to counteract insurgencies.