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At least 35 people were killed after heavily armed attackers launched an assault on Niger’s main international airport in the capital, Niamey, marking the second major attack on the facility in less than five months.
According to Niger’s Defence Ministry, the casualties included 22 attackers, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. Four additional assailants were injured, while security forces arrested 20 suspects during subsequent operations.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Thursday near Diori Hamani International Airport, which serves as both the country’s principal civilian airport and an important military installation.
Residents living near the airport reported hearing explosions and gunfire shortly after morning prayers, prompting fears of a large-scale security breach.
Later that day, the Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for the assault.
Authorities said security forces eventually regained control of the area and launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers. A significant cache of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenade launchers, assault rifles, explosives, grenades, communication devices, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, was reportedly recovered.
Witnesses said some local residents attempted to assist security personnel in searching for suspects, although officials sought to discourage civilian involvement in the operation.
The airport area was placed under tight security, with checkpoints established and vehicles entering and leaving the vicinity subjected to searches.
The attack drew condemnation from African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who praised Nigerien security forces for preventing greater damage and securing the airport facilities.
Diori Hamani International Airport is considered one of Niger’s most strategic installations. In addition to handling civilian air traffic, it hosts military facilities and infrastructure linked to the Alliance of Sahel States, a regional bloc comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
The latest assault comes amid a prolonged Islamist insurgency that has affected Niger and several neighbouring countries for more than a decade. The airport was also targeted in January, when authorities reported that 20 attackers were killed and four military personnel injured during a similar incident.
In response to growing security threats, Nigerien authorities have recently intensified protective measures around the airport, including expanding perimeter fencing, increasing surveillance capabilities, and clearing nearby settlements considered security risks.
The attack underscores the continuing security challenges facing Niger as it battles extremist groups operating across the Sahel region.
Source: 3news
