Niamey Airport Attack Kills 13, Leaves 22 Assailants Dead
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 18
Niamey Airport Attack Kills 13, Leaves 22 Assailants Dead
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 18
Summary
11 security personnel and two civilians were killed when assailants attacked Niamey’s airport and adjoining military airbase at about 6 a.m., with gunfire lasting nearly two hours.
22 attackers were killed and about 20 people arrested as government forces repelled the assault, seized weapons and later said the area was under control.
Airport operations had resumed by midday, though security forces still sealed off the complex and sporadic gunfire continued during sweep operations.
No group immediately claimed the attack, but the same airport complex was struck in January by Islamic State’s West Africa affiliate.
The assault came a day after coordinated militant attacks on Banibangou and Inates bases in western Niger, underscoring the junta’s struggle against Sahel jihadist groups.