Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Attack on Niamey Airport
Edited By: Laila Abou Rabie
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility on Friday for an attack on Niamey Airport in Niger, according to a statement cited by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist organizations.
The claim came a day after Niger’s ruling military authorities announced that armed assailants had attacked the airport, wounding four soldiers. According to the same source, Nigerien forces killed 20 attackers and detained several others during the incident.
Following the attack, Niger’s authorities accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of backing the perpetrators, while publicly thanking Russia for its assistance in countering the assault.
In its statement, Islamic State confirmed responsibility for the operation. Armed groups linked to both Islamic State and Al-Qaeda have carried out violent attacks for nearly a decade across the Sahel, particularly in western and southwestern Niger. However, such operations have rarely reached the capital.
Niamey Airport is located less than 10 kilometres from the presidential palace and is considered a strategic site. It hosts an air force base, a modern drone facility, and the headquarters of the joint force established by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali to combat armed groups operating in the region.
