11 soldiers and 2 civilians dead as gunmen attack airport in Niger’s capital

Eleven members of the security forces and two civilians were killed in an attack on Thursday at the airport and military airbase in Niger's capital, Niamey. Explosions and sporadic gunfire were reported starting around 6 am local time. The al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it was a suicide operation. The airport had previously been targeted by the regional Islamic State affiliate in January. The government statement did not identify the perpetrators, but JNIM's claim provides attribution for the attack.

Niger's Ministry of Defence reported that an armed attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers, 2 civilians, and 22 attackers. The assault occurred on Thursday morning, with gunmen reportedly arriving by taxi and encountering resistance from security forces. The ministry stated that approximately 20 suspects were apprehended during a large-scale military operation. The airport, located in the same complex as a military airbase, was secured and remained open to air traffic. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which also left four people wounded.

Explosions and gunfire were reported at the airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, on Thursday morning. Residents stated the gunfire originated from the airport entrance and that the situation was brought under control by the army. The army is reportedly pursuing fleeing assailants who abandoned their weapons. This incident follows a suspected jihadist attack on the same airport in January. Niger has been engaged in a decade-long fight against a militant Islamist insurgency, and the country is currently governed by a military junta that cited the failure to address violence as a reason for its rise to power. Authorities have not yet commented, and no group has claimed responsibility for Thursday's events.