Nigerien Security Forces Repel Attack on Diori Hamani International Airport
The attack killed 11 security personnel and two civilians and continued for approximately two hours until forces contained it near 8 a.m.
NIGER — Nigerien security forces repelled an armed attack on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on June 18.
The al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the attack via its Az-Zallaqa Foundation media arm, according to the group’s statement and Nigerien authorities.
The attack, which began around 6 a.m. local time, killed 11 security personnel and two civilians and continued for approximately two hours until forces contained it near 8 a.m.
Niger’s defense ministry said that forces killed 22 attackers and arrested about 20 suspects while seizing weapons including rocket-propelled grenade launchers, AK-47 rifles, explosives, grenades, communications equipment, and thousands of rounds of ammunition.
Four civilians were wounded in the attack. The Government of Niger announced later on June 18 that the incident had concluded and that the airport had returned to normal operations.
In a separate incident on January 29, fighters from the Islamic State Sahel Province attacked the same airport complex and adjacent airbase.
Nigerien authorities reported that the head of the military junta said that France, Benin, and Ivory Coast had sponsored the June 18 assault and thanked soldiers along with Russian partners for repelling it.
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a statement on June 19 condemning the attack and commending Niger’s security and defense forces.
A U.S. Embassy security alert update reported on June 18 that the incident had concluded and that U.S. government personnel were again subject to routine travel restrictions under the Niger Travel Advisory.
Niger Government Response and Casualty Figures
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