Niger Forces Repel JNIM Attack on Niamey Airport, Killing 22 Assailants; 13 Others Die

Thirty-five people were killed when gunmen attacked Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on Thursday, Niger's defence ministry said. The dead included 22 assailants, 11 soldiers and two civilians. Four attackers were wounded and 20 suspects were arrested.

Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for the assault on Thursday evening. The group is an Al-Qaeda affiliate. A large cache of weapons was seized, including RPG-7 launchers, AK-47 rifles, explosives, grenades, communications equipment and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Residents near the airport said they had finished morning prayers when gunfire and explosions began at about 05:50 local time. Lawalli Tsalha, who lives nearby, told the BBC the first sound resembled a tyre bursting before the scale of the attack became clear. The fighting ended by mid-morning.

Security forces launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers. Armed local residents joined the search, though witnesses said security personnel tried to prevent civilians from taking part. One unnamed resident said attackers had mixed with the local population, prompting civilians to arm themselves with machetes and sticks.

The airport area was locked down on Thursday afternoon. Security forces searched vehicles entering and leaving the vicinity. African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf strongly condemned the assault.

He praised Nigerien forces for repelling the attack and securing the airport facilities. Diori Hamani International Airport serves as both a civilian hub and a military base. It also hosts facilities linked to the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.