Niger Reports Terrorist Attack on Niamey Airport Base in Most Dangerous Countries
Gunfire and explosions were reported overnight near a military base at Niamey's international airport in Niger, with security forces saying they repelled an attack by terrorists in one of the most dangerous countries in the region. Residents and witnesses reported heavy gunfire and explosions starting around 1:00 a.m. local time near Base 101 at the airport, the presidential palace area, and the national television station. [3] A security source stated that terrorists targeted the Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the presidency perimeter, with attackers later neutralized or fled. [2]
Attack Reported in Niamey
Residents of Niger's capital Niamey on Saturday reported hearing gunfire overnight near a military base at the international airport. [1] "There is heavy gunfire and explosions at Base 101 in Niamey," one local resident told AFP, a report confirmed by several other witnesses. [1] Several social media posts also reported shooting and explosions in the city, particularly in the administrative area where the presidential palace and the national television station are located. [1] Videos online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport. [1] The first shots were heard at about 1:00 a.m. local time and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming the area around the airport. [3] Another resident in the west of Niamey said he heard sporadic small arms fire at about 5:00 a.m. [3] Sustained gunfire and explosions rang out across several areas of Niger's capital early on Saturday, according to two Reuters witnesses. [2] Gunfire resumed around Niamey's international airport at around 0213 GMT, according to the first Reuters witness. [2] The second Reuters witness said the gunfire had been heavy and persistent around the presidential palace. [2]
Security Forces Regain Control
A security source told Reuters that terrorists had attacked the city's Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidency. [2] Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger's Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States Parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101, a major military installation in Niamey, but that security forces had regained control. [2] "Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured ... Situation under control," Ibrahim wrote. [2] A second security source told Reuters that security forces had launched search operations and that the attackers had been neutralized, with others fleeing. [2] The origins of Saturday's shooting were not immediately clear and authorities made no official comment. [3] Niger's military government was not immediately available for comment. [2]
Prior Jihadist Attacks on Airport
Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadists, first by the Islamic State in the Sahel in January, then again in late June by their rivals the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda. [1] Twenty assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in the January assault, authorities said at the time. [1] General Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the military regime that emerged from a coup in July 2023, spoke in January of a flaw in the system that enabled the attack, whose objective was to destroy all of the air capabilities of the army. [1] In June, at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, as well as 22 attackers, according to the defence ministry. [1] Both attacks were repelled by the army. [1] The rival jihadist groups not only target civilians and the military but are also struggling for dominance over the other in the Sahel, and especially in Niger. [1]
Junta's Ongoing Security Struggle
Niger has been ruled for three years by a military leadership that has struggled to contain jihadist violence, which has blighted the west African country for around a decade. [1] Niger's military government was not immediately available for comment amid the latest incident. [2] The three Sahel countries have withdrawn from ECOWAS, distanced themselves from Western partners like France, and formed the Alliance of Sahel States. [2] The EIS and JNIM are also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, both allies of Niger and ruled by military juntas that seized power in coups. [1] The three countries quit the Economic Community of West African States bloc, turned their backs on traditional Western partners in the fight against jihadist violence, especially France, and sought closer ties with Russia without, however, managing to restore security. [3] All three countries continue to battle Islamist insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State despite pledges by their military rulers to improve security. [2]
Strategic Importance of Base 101
Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, notably houses the headquarters of Niamey's Russian Africa Corps partners, as well as the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, of which Niger is a member with Burkina Faso and Mali. [3] The site is sensitive. Between December and January, it hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate, which was held up while awaiting export. [3] No movement of the shipment has been identified since. [3]
What to watch next: The unrest comes as Niger's junta tightens control over its uranium sector, having seized assets from France's Orano, with the government reallocating former Orano and GoviEx uranium permits to state-backed companies according to a decree. [2]
