Niamey: Heavily armed attackers stormed the international airport in Niger's capital early on Thursday, triggering a gun battle that left dozens dead, the country's defense minister said.
According to Ghana News Agency, the assailants entered the airport in Niamey before dawn, opened fire, and detonated explosives, as stated by Defence Minister Salifou Modi. Security forces managed to regain control of the area around Diori Hamani International Airport after about an hour of intense fighting.
The confrontation resulted in the deaths of eleven members of the security forces, two civilians, and 22 attackers, Modi reported. In addition, more than 20 suspects were arrested following the attack. The minister did not provide information regarding the identity of the perpetrators responsible for this violent incident.
This attack marks the second assault on the airport this year. In late January, an affiliate of the Islamic State group in the Sahel region targeted the airport and the adjacent air force base, which until 2024 also hosted foreign troops.