Russian soldiers have assisted Niger’s military in repelling a major attack on the country’s main airport in Niamey, an assault claimed by an Islamic State–affiliated armed group and described as the first significant jihadist strike on the capital.
Security sources said the militants targeted the airport in a coordinated operation aimed at disrupting air traffic and sending a symbolic message by hitting one of the most sensitive and strategic sites in the country. Nigerien forces, backed by Russian personnel, engaged the attackers in a fierce battle and succeeded in pushing them back before they could seize key facilities.
Authorities in Niamey have not released full casualty figures, but officials confirmed that the situation is now under control and security has been reinforced around critical infrastructure, including the airport, military bases and government buildings.
The attack comes amid a worrying shift in tactics by jihadist groups operating across the Sahel, who are increasingly targeting high-profile and strategically important locations rather than only rural communities and military outposts.
Security analysts warn that the evolving threat highlights how difficult the fight against terrorism remains in the region. Despite changes in alliances and the presence of new foreign partners, they say armed groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda continue to adapt, expand their reach and exploit weak state control.
“The strike on Niamey shows that no city in the Sahel can be considered completely safe,” one regional security expert said. “Militants are testing the limits of state authority and trying to demonstrate relevance by hitting symbolic targets.”
Niger’s military-led government has intensified its cooperation with Russia since breaking with Western partners, framing the partnership as essential to restoring security. But the latest attack underscores the scale of the challenge still facing the country as it struggles to contain a resilient and increasingly ambitious jihadist threat.
News Credit: DW News
