politics
February 3, 2026
Islamic State claims Niger airport attack
Islamic State militants have said they were behind the recent “surprise and coordinated” attack on the airport in Niger
TL;DR
- Islamic State has claimed responsibility for an attack on Niger’s Diori Hamani International Airport and Air Base 101.
- The attack involved gunmen on motorcycles who opened fire on the air force base for 30 minutes.
- Niger's Defense Ministry reported 20 militants killed and 11 arrested.
- Four Nigerien soldiers were injured, and military facilities and civilian aircraft were damaged.
- Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are dealing with ongoing violence from al-Qaeda and Islamic State-linked groups.
- These West African states have expelled French troops and formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), seeking new partnerships, including with Russia.
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