The head of Niger’s military government, General Abdourahamane Tiani, has accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring an attack on a military base located at Niamey’s international airport.
Speaking on state radio on Thursday, Tiani said the assault was repelled by Nigerien troops with the support of what he described as “Russian partners,” praising their response as professional and effective.
The attack occurred shortly after midnight, with residents in areas around the airport reporting heavy gunfire and explosions for about an hour before calm was restored. No jihadist group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
Niger’s Defence Ministry said four soldiers were injured during the attack, while 20 assailants were killed. State television reported that a French national was among those killed, and authorities confirmed that 11 suspects were arrested.
Operations later resumed at Diori Hamani International Airport, which houses an air force base and lies roughly 10 kilometres from the presidential palace.
“We commend all the defence and security forces, as well as our Russian partners, who defended the country with professionalism,” Tiani said. He also issued a warning to what he called the sponsors of the attackers, naming French President Emmanuel Macron, Benin’s President Patrice Talon and Côte d’Ivoire’s President Alassane Ouattara.
Niger’s junta has had strained relations with France since seizing power in a July 2023 coup that ousted elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The military authorities have repeatedly accused France and neighbouring Benin of attempting to destabilise the country—claims both governments deny.
Defence Minister Salifou Modi said the assault lasted about 30 minutes and was countered by coordinated air and ground operations.
Residents near the airport described intense fighting. Ibrahim Boubacar, a youth leader living close to the area, said the sounds initially seemed like firecrackers before escalating into what he believed was a terrorist attack involving heavy weapons.
Satellite imagery reviewed by AFP showed scorched areas near the airport runway, while the West African journalists’ security network Wamaps described the incident as a large-scale attack involving drones, mortars and armed fighters on motorcycles, with possible links to the Islamic State group.
Wamaps also reported that air defence systems were rapidly deployed and that several attackers were either killed or forced to flee. Russian military blog Rybar suggested that Russian military specialists may have assisted Nigerien forces during the response.
Niger continues to battle insurgency linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, particularly in western regions near the capital. Since expelling French and US forces, the junta has strengthened ties with Russia and other new partners.
Security analysts said there had been warnings of an imminent attack in the days leading up to the incident.
The airport is considered a strategic facility, hosting a Nigerien air force base, a drone installation and the headquarters of a joint force involving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. According to Wamaps, Italian troops are also stationed at the site.
Meanwhile, a large uranium shipment that left northern Niger in November remains stranded at the airport. French mining company Orano has said it will pursue legal action over the issue following the junta’s decision to nationalise the Somair uranium mine and announce plans to sell Niger’s uranium on the international market.
AFP
