The Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released a video showing its fighters carrying out an audacious attack on the 101 Airbase of the Nigerien Air Force located within the Niamey international airport complex. In the video seen by SaharaReporters, dozens of Islamic State–Sahel fighters riding motorcycles were seen storming the facility and destroying military aircraft, with no visible resistance from Nigerien security forces.
The footage shows the terrorists firing heavy weapons, vandalizing aircraft on the tarmac and jubilating after what they described as a “successful mission.” The fighters were also heard repeatedly chanting their usual “Allahu Akbar” slogans during the operation.
According to the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist activity and communications worldwide, the Islamic State in the Sahel has formally claimed responsibility for the assault, describing it as an attack on the international airport and the adjacent air force base in Niamey, Niger’s capital. Security analysts say the group is likely to release a longer documentary-style video in the coming days, a pattern consistent with previous Islamic State operations in the region.
The emergence of the footage raises serious questions about the level of security at one of Niger’s most sensitive military installations and the ability of the country’s armed forces to protect critical national infrastructure amid escalating insurgent violence. Last Thursday, explosions rocked Niamey, the capital of Niger, followed by gunfire near the city’s main international airport.
According to reports, a burst of heavy gunfire and explosions erupted shortly after midnight near Niger’s main international airport in the capital, Niamey, terrifying residents and briefly shattering the city’s calm.
Residents in neighbourhoods close to Diori Hamani International Airport said the shooting lasted for roughly two hours before subsiding. By around 2 AM, calm had largely returned, according to residents, while several reported hearing sirens as fire trucks moved towards the airport area in the early morning hours.
