In a coordinated assault that underscores the escalating security crisis in the Sahel, armed gunmen attacked Diori Hamani International Airport, Niger’s largest aviation hub, killing at least 35 people and wounding dozens more. The attack, which occurred at approximately 3:00 AM local time, involved heavy machine gun fire and rocket-propelled grenades, reportedly emanating from multiple directions. Security forces engaged the assailants in a firefight that lasted over two hours before they retreated into the surrounding desert.
No group has yet claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on jihadist factions active in the region, including those linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda. The airport has been closed indefinitely, stranding thousands of passengers and disrupting critical humanitarian aid flights. This brazen assault on a key infrastructure target highlights the deteriorating security situation in Niger, where the government has struggled to maintain control over vast swathes of territory.
The attack comes less than a month after a coup in neighboring Mali, raising fears of regional instability. International condemnation has been swift, with the United Nations and African Union calling for urgent action to prevent further escalation.
