Militants from the Islamic State in the Sahel region have launched a brazen assault on Niger's international airport and an adjacent military airbase, claiming responsibility for the attack. According to reports, the assault began just after midnight on Thursday with motorcycle-riding militants employing heavy weaponry and drones in a surprise and coordinated strike.
The attack targeted the airport, which is located approximately 6 miles from the presidential palace and Base Aérienne 101, a military base previously used by US and Russian troops. The gunfire and explosions at the airport resulted in damage to at least three planes: one belonging to Ivorian carrier Air Côte d'Ivoire and two belonging to Togolese airline Asky.
The regional affiliate of the Islamic State has been linked to numerous high-profile attacks in Niger, including strikes targeting the Tillabéri region in September that killed over 120 people. The group had also abducted an American pilot in October. The latest attack on the airport and airbase is the latest escalation in the ongoing jihadist activity in the Sahel region.
Niger's government has previously blamed neighboring countries and former colonial ruler France for the chaos, citing a lack of evidence to support their claims. However, in response to the attack, the head of Niger's junta, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, vowed that his country would not be intimidated. "We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar," he said.
Security forces quickly repelled the militants' advance, killing 20 attackers and arresting 11 others. A stash of ammunition also caught fire during the attack. The Niamey assault occurred roughly simultaneously with an attack using drones by Islamic State West Africa Province in neighboring Nigeria, which left at least nine soldiers dead and several others wounded.
The situation in Niger remains volatile, with the country's government facing criticism for its handling of the ongoing jihadist threat. As the Sahel region continues to grapple with instability and violence, regional authorities must work together to address the underlying issues driving these conflicts.
The attack targeted the airport, which is located approximately 6 miles from the presidential palace and Base Aérienne 101, a military base previously used by US and Russian troops. The gunfire and explosions at the airport resulted in damage to at least three planes: one belonging to Ivorian carrier Air Côte d'Ivoire and two belonging to Togolese airline Asky.
The regional affiliate of the Islamic State has been linked to numerous high-profile attacks in Niger, including strikes targeting the Tillabéri region in September that killed over 120 people. The group had also abducted an American pilot in October. The latest attack on the airport and airbase is the latest escalation in the ongoing jihadist activity in the Sahel region.
Niger's government has previously blamed neighboring countries and former colonial ruler France for the chaos, citing a lack of evidence to support their claims. However, in response to the attack, the head of Niger's junta, Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, vowed that his country would not be intimidated. "We have heard them bark, they should be ready to hear us roar," he said.
Security forces quickly repelled the militants' advance, killing 20 attackers and arresting 11 others. A stash of ammunition also caught fire during the attack. The Niamey assault occurred roughly simultaneously with an attack using drones by Islamic State West Africa Province in neighboring Nigeria, which left at least nine soldiers dead and several others wounded.
The situation in Niger remains volatile, with the country's government facing criticism for its handling of the ongoing jihadist threat. As the Sahel region continues to grapple with instability and violence, regional authorities must work together to address the underlying issues driving these conflicts.
6 miles from the palace and they just went full on brazen mode? the footage of those drones flying around is giving me major goosebumps 
i mean i know niger's been through stuff but this is just crazy scale
anyway glad no civilians were directly harmed i guess? 120 people already got taken out in sept and now this... it's like the sahel region is just getting more and more unstable 
and arrestin 11 others too so at least there's some progress? anyway gotta wonder what other surprises this week has in store for us 
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. And with three planes damaged and 20 attackers killed, it's just another example of how senseless these attacks are 
.
. It's like this region is being picked apart by extremist groups 
. We need to get behind our African leaders and support them in addressing these issues, because it's clear that they can't do it alone 
.
it's all so frustrating, especially when you think about how many lives are lost or affected by these kinds of attacks 
? i cant believe militants just attacked the airport 
and a military airbase 
and wounded 
. i hope the government is doing everything they can to keep everyone safe 
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, one of their pilots was even abducted in october 
. and now there are attacks happening in niger and nigeria 
too...its like the sahel region is just getting worse 
.
. its just so sad that people have to live with fear 
. Sahel region's gonna be a hot mess for ages...
how's the situation supposed to get any better with more attacks like this? 
anyway I was thinking, what's going on with these militant groups in the Sahel region? it feels like they're getting more brazen by the day 