A violent confrontation erupted at the international airport in Niamey on Thursday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least eleven soldiers and two civilians. This latest strike by suspected militants comes just months after a similar offensive targeted the same strategic location.

The attackers, some of whom were wearing explosive vests, attempted to penetrate the main terminal building. However, rapid intervention by security personnel prevented them from reaching the interior. The Ministry of Defense confirmed that while thirteen victims were lost, the defense forces successfully neutralized twenty-two assailants and apprehended approximately twenty suspects.

Intense clashes at a strategic hub

Witnesses reported that the sound of gunfire began around 06:00 local time and persisted for approximately two hours. The skirmish centered on a security checkpoint located on the primary access road, just a short distance from the terminal entrance. Reports indicate the armed group arrived at the police perimeter using taxis before being met with fierce resistance.

By mid-morning, the immediate area had been stabilized, though security forces continued to conduct extensive searches in the surrounding neighborhoods to locate any remaining militants who fled the scene. While the airport officially remains open to air traffic, flight tracking data showed several incoming planes were diverted or delayed during the height of the crisis.

Security challenges in Niger

This incident highlights the ongoing security difficulties faced by the military administration, which has held power in Niger for nearly three years. The airport and the adjacent military base were previously targeted in late January, an attack that caused significant damage and raised concerns about the site’s vulnerability.

The airport is a particularly sensitive location, having recently served as a storage point for large quantities of uranium concentrate awaiting export. In response to the previous breach, the government led by General Abdourahamane Tiani had implemented stricter security protocols, including the installation of over 350 surveillance cameras, the extension of perimeter walls, and the clearing of nearby residential zones to improve visibility and control.

Despite these measures, the persistence of such incursions underscores the complex nature of the conflict currently affecting the capital and the wider region.