Niger Airport Attack Sparks Tensions with France and Regional Neighbors
Published 29 January 2026
Highlights
- Suspected jihadists attacked Diori Hamani International Airport near Niamey, injuring four military personnel and killing 20 attackers.
- Niger's junta leader accused France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire of sponsoring the attack, while thanking Russia for its support.
- The attack led to a heavy security presence around the airport, with flights diverted and damage reported to aircraft on the tarmac.
- The incident highlights ongoing tensions between Niger's military government and former colonial power France, amid unresolved uranium export issues.
- Residents reported fear and disruption due to gunfire and explosions, with the situation returning to calm after about an hour.
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Rewritten Article
Niger Airport Attack Sparks Tensions with France and Regional Neighbors
A suspected jihadist attack on Diori Hamani International Airport near Niamey, Niger, has intensified tensions between the country's military junta and its former colonial power, France. The assault, which occurred overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, resulted in four military personnel being injured and 20 attackers killed, according to Niger's defense ministry.
Accusations and Allegiances
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger's junta, accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire of backing the attackers, a claim made without evidence. He expressed gratitude to Russia for its assistance in thwarting the assault, highlighting the shift in Niger's alliances since the July 2023 coup. "We commend all the defense and security forces... as well as Russian partners who defended their security sector with professionalism," Tiani stated on state radio.
Impact on Airport Operations
The attack led to a significant security deployment around the airport, with flights diverted and damage reported to aircraft on the tarmac. A source from Togolese airline Asky confirmed that gunfire had damaged two planes, while Air Côte d'Ivoire reported similar damage to one of its aircraft. Despite the chaos, services at the airport resumed normal operations later in the day.
Local Reactions and Broader Implications
Residents near the airport described a night of fear, with heavy gunfire and explosions shaking their homes. "We didn't sleep last night," one local recounted. The attack underscores the ongoing instability in the Sahel region, where Niger, like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, faces persistent threats from jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.
Uranium Exports and Diplomatic Strains
The attack also brings attention to unresolved legal and diplomatic issues surrounding Niger's uranium exports. A significant shipment remains stuck at the airport amid tensions with France, following the nationalization of the country's uranium mines by the military government. The shipment was reportedly unharmed during the attack.
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Scenario Analysis
The recent attack on Niger's airport could further strain relations between the junta and France, potentially impacting diplomatic and economic ties, particularly concerning uranium exports. As Niger continues to pivot towards Russia for military support, the geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region may shift, affecting regional stability. Experts suggest that the junta's accusations against France and its allies could lead to increased isolation or retaliatory measures, complicating efforts to address the jihadist threat. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for international relations and security in West Africa.
A suspected jihadist attack on Diori Hamani International Airport near Niamey, Niger, has intensified tensions between the country's military junta and its former colonial power, France. The assault, which occurred overnight from Wednesday to Thursday, resulted in four military personnel being injured and 20 attackers killed, according to Niger's defense ministry.
Accusations and Allegiances
General Abdourahamane Tiani, the head of Niger's junta, accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire of backing the attackers, a claim made without evidence. He expressed gratitude to Russia for its assistance in thwarting the assault, highlighting the shift in Niger's alliances since the July 2023 coup. "We commend all the defense and security forces... as well as Russian partners who defended their security sector with professionalism," Tiani stated on state radio.
Impact on Airport Operations
The attack led to a significant security deployment around the airport, with flights diverted and damage reported to aircraft on the tarmac. A source from Togolese airline Asky confirmed that gunfire had damaged two planes, while Air Côte d'Ivoire reported similar damage to one of its aircraft. Despite the chaos, services at the airport resumed normal operations later in the day.
Local Reactions and Broader Implications
Residents near the airport described a night of fear, with heavy gunfire and explosions shaking their homes. "We didn't sleep last night," one local recounted. The attack underscores the ongoing instability in the Sahel region, where Niger, like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, faces persistent threats from jihadist groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida.
Uranium Exports and Diplomatic Strains
The attack also brings attention to unresolved legal and diplomatic issues surrounding Niger's uranium exports. A significant shipment remains stuck at the airport amid tensions with France, following the nationalization of the country's uranium mines by the military government. The shipment was reportedly unharmed during the attack.
What this might mean
The recent attack on Niger's airport could further strain relations between the junta and France, potentially impacting diplomatic and economic ties, particularly concerning uranium exports. As Niger continues to pivot towards Russia for military support, the geopolitical dynamics in the Sahel region may shift, affecting regional stability. Experts suggest that the junta's accusations against France and its allies could lead to increased isolation or retaliatory measures, complicating efforts to address the jihadist threat. The situation remains fluid, with potential implications for international relations and security in West Africa.
