35 Killed as Militants Launch Deadly Attack on Niger Airport

At least 35 people were killed after heavily armed militants launched an attack on Niger's largest airport, Diori Hamani International Airport, in the capital city of Niamey on Thursday morning.

According to Niger's Defence Ministry, the death toll includes 22 attackers, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. Four attackers were also injured, while security forces arrested 20 suspects during and after the operation.

Residents living near the airport said they heard loud explosions and gunfire shortly after morning prayers. The attack began around dawn and targeted the airport area, which also serves as an important military base.

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Authorities said security forces responded quickly and managed to bring the situation under control by mid-morning. A large-scale manhunt was launched to search for any remaining attackers in the area.

Security officials also seized a significant cache of weapons, including RPG-7 rocket launchers, AK-47 rifles, grenades, explosives, communication devices, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

Later on Thursday, the al-Qaeda-linked militant group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack. The assault marks the second major attack on the airport in less than five months. In January, another extremist group linked to ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack on the same airport.

Witnesses said some local residents joined security efforts to help locate suspects who had reportedly mixed with the civilian population after the attack. However, security personnel urged civilians to stay away from active operations.

The Niger government described the attackers as armed mercenaries and accused France of supporting them, although no evidence was provided. France has not issued an immediate response to the allegation.

Diori Hamani International Airport is one of Niger's most important strategic facilities. Besides handling civilian flights, it hosts military operations and facilities connected to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a regional bloc made up of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

Niger has been battling Islamist insurgent groups for more than a decade. Security concerns around the airport have increased in recent months, leading authorities to expand security measures, including extending the airport perimeter fence and installing hundreds of surveillance cameras.

The African Union strongly condemned the attack and praised Nigerien security forces for successfully repelling the assault and securing the airport.