Niger's International Airport and Airbase Under Siege as ISIS Claims Audacious Assault
A surprise attack on Niger's international airport and a nearby air force base has left multiple aircraft damaged, authorities say. The assault, which began in the early hours of Thursday morning, was claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel, according to SITE Intelligence Group.
According to Amaq news agency, the militant group used heavy weaponry and drones to launch a coordinated attack on the airport, where three planes were hit - two belonging to Togolese airline Asky and one from Ivorian carrier Air Côte d'Ivoire. The attack, which began just after midnight, also targeted Base Aérienne 101, a military base used by US and Russian troops in the past.
The regional ISIS affiliate has been linked to several high-profile attacks in Niger in recent months, including strikes targeting the Tillabéri region in September that killed over 120 people. In October, the group abducted an American pilot.
Niger's authorities have blamed neighboring countries, as well as former colonial ruler France, for the chaos without providing any concrete evidence. The junta-led government has also taken steps to distance itself from regional organizations like Ecowas and instead joined forces with other Sahel states to form the Association of Sahel States (AES).
However, in a statement aimed at Niger's neighbors, the head of the junta, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, vowed that his government would not be intimidated. "We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar," he said.
Security forces quickly repelled the attackers' advance, killing 20 of them and arresting 11 others. A stash of ammunition also caught fire during the attack. The incident comes as neighboring Nigeria was hit by a drone attack on its Sabon Gari army base in Borno state, leaving at least nine soldiers dead and several others wounded.
The recent escalation of violence in Niger highlights the growing threat posed by extremist groups in the Sahel region, which has long been plagued by instability and security challenges.
A surprise attack on Niger's international airport and a nearby air force base has left multiple aircraft damaged, authorities say. The assault, which began in the early hours of Thursday morning, was claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel, according to SITE Intelligence Group.
According to Amaq news agency, the militant group used heavy weaponry and drones to launch a coordinated attack on the airport, where three planes were hit - two belonging to Togolese airline Asky and one from Ivorian carrier Air Côte d'Ivoire. The attack, which began just after midnight, also targeted Base Aérienne 101, a military base used by US and Russian troops in the past.
The regional ISIS affiliate has been linked to several high-profile attacks in Niger in recent months, including strikes targeting the Tillabéri region in September that killed over 120 people. In October, the group abducted an American pilot.
Niger's authorities have blamed neighboring countries, as well as former colonial ruler France, for the chaos without providing any concrete evidence. The junta-led government has also taken steps to distance itself from regional organizations like Ecowas and instead joined forces with other Sahel states to form the Association of Sahel States (AES).
However, in a statement aimed at Niger's neighbors, the head of the junta, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, vowed that his government would not be intimidated. "We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar," he said.
Security forces quickly repelled the attackers' advance, killing 20 of them and arresting 11 others. A stash of ammunition also caught fire during the attack. The incident comes as neighboring Nigeria was hit by a drone attack on its Sabon Gari army base in Borno state, leaving at least nine soldiers dead and several others wounded.
The recent escalation of violence in Niger highlights the growing threat posed by extremist groups in the Sahel region, which has long been plagued by instability and security challenges.
. I mean, I'm not surprised ISIS is making a comeback or whatever, but come on, can't they just leave Africa alone? 
They're always causing chaos in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso... it's like they have a personal vendetta against the whole continent. And now they're attacking our airports and bases too? What's next, a full-scale invasion? 
I don't trust those neighbors of Niger one bit, they're just waiting for an excuse to step in. France is probably just going to send more troops or something, because that always helps 
I mean, think about it... ISIS claims they did this attack out of nowhere, but what if it's actually a setup for something bigger? Like, maybe France or one of the other countries they're accusing are trying to create some kind of chaos in the region. And then, BAM! Niger gets hit right in the middle of all that.
120 ppl killed already? thats insane. i'm not surprised though, we all know the sahel region is a breeding ground for terrorism. it's like they're just waiting for an opportunity to strike. 
and france is blaming neighboring countries without any proof lol what's next? 
. We need to support our troops and make sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.
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. We can't keep sitting back and watching extremist groups wreak havoc on innocent people. We need to take action, now 
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I'm so glad that security forces were able to repel the attackers and minimize the damage, but this is just another reminder of how fragile security is in the Sahel region. 
We need to keep supporting our military and regional organizations to help stabilize these areas before more innocent lives are lost... 
. It's just so frustrating when these extremist groups think they can just keep escalating violence without facing any consequences 
... anyway, back to this news... it's crazy how these attacks keep happening in Africa 
. I wonder if they're gonna rebuild it or leave it as is... maybe build a new one with even better security features 
. Anyway, gotta go check out some new restaurants in the area 
. It's not like they're doing anything to help the situation.
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this is so worrisome 
they gotta get their act together 2 stop these terrorist attacks 
we need 2 see some real action 2 help them out 
I'm so worried about what's happening in Niger right now. It's like, you can't even go to the airport or near a military base without worrying about getting attacked. And those extremist groups just keep getting bolder and bolder... 
. Gen Tchiani is all like "we're not intimidated" but then they have 11 dead attackers and a stash of ammo on fire... I guess that kinda proves him wrong 
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