In the early hours of Wednesday, January 28, to Thursday, January 29, gunfire and explosions echoed around the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger. This rare assault on a key military and logistical hub was later claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), an affiliate of the global jihadist network, through its propaganda outlet Amaq News Agency.
Nigerien authorities reported that the assault lasted nearly an hour before security forces, supported by a ground and air counterattack, repelled the attackers. Official figures indicated 20 militants killed, 11 captured, and four soldiers wounded. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on February 2 that Africa Corps—a unit under the Russian Defense Ministry—had assisted Nigerien forces in securing the area. The base hosts the Niger Air Base 101, a critical asset in the country’s military strategy.
The leader of Niger’s military junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani, praised the professionalism of Russian partners for their role in defending the airport perimeter, which also houses the joint military headquarters of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
Propaganda video reveals attack details
On February 2, the EIS escalated its propaganda campaign by releasing footage purportedly filmed during the assault. The video, branded with the Amaq logo, showed dozens of armed fighters—some on motorcycles—moving through the airport’s restricted military zone. Footage depicted militants targeting hangars, opening fire, and setting fires. Damaged assets included two small planes and a helicopter, part of Niger’s aerial fleet used in counterterrorism operations. Satellite images later confirmed scorched areas near the runway.
The attack extended into the civilian side of the airport, where assailants filmed commercial aircraft from Asky Airlines and Air Côte d’Ivoire. Nigerian officials acknowledged damage to three civilian planes, while the Defense Ministry reported “damaged equipment, including an ammunition stock that ignited”.
Niger’s capital emerges as a new jihadist battleground
While Niger has battled Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM)—an al-Qaeda affiliate—and the EIS in its western and southeastern regions for over a decade, direct attacks on Niamey remain uncommon. Days before the airport assault, JNIM claimed responsibility for destroying a military vehicle east of the capital, signaling rising pressure on the central government.
The escalation coincides with Niger’s shifting security alliances. Since the July 26, 2023 coup, Niamey has pivoted toward Moscow, severing ties with several Western partners. After French forces withdrew in late 2023, the United States removed most of its military presence in 2024, though diplomatic channels remain open.
Diplomatic fallout intensifies over attack accusations
General Tiani publicly accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of “sponsoring” the assault, a claim swiftly condemned by Abidjan and Cotonou. Côte d’Ivoire summoned Niger’s ambassador, calling the remarks “serious” and warning they could harm bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, Italy maintains 300 troops in the country as part of the Mission Italiana di Supporto in Niger (MISIN). Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto denied any involvement in the fighting, emphasizing that troop safety remains the top priority.
Why the airport attack carries strategic weight
The airport is more than a symbolic target—it is a multi-layered strategic asset. It serves as a military airbase, the regional headquarters for the Liptako-Gourma Joint Force (comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso), and reportedly stores a large uranium concentrate. This stockpile, central to a dispute with French firm Orano, may be transferred to Russia, as Niger has yet to finalize logistics for its removal.
Despite the assault, commercial flights resumed the next day, and life in surrounding neighborhoods returned to normal. Yet the attack underscores a dangerous new reality: the EIS has demonstrated its operational reach by striking the heart of Niger’s capital, while Russia’s growing military involvement signals a fundamental shift in the country’s security landscape—one that risks further destabilizing the region.
