Niger's military repelled a pre-dawn assault on an air force base near Niamey's presidential palace on Thursday, killing 20 attackers and capturing 11 others. Defense Minister Salifou Modi confirmed the 30-minute firefight required combined ground and air operations to neutralize the threat, with services resuming normally at Diori Hamani International Airport by midday.
General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger's military leader, praised defense forces and Russian partners for their coordinated response during a televised base inspection. Footage showed him surveying attacker casualties, including an unidentified French national among the dead. Tchiani issued a sharp warning to French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders of Benin and Côte d'Ivoire: "We've heard them bark enough; now they should get ready to listen to us."
While no group has claimed responsibility, authorities linked the attack to escalating regional instability fueled by JNIM and ISIS-affiliated militants. The incident highlights growing security challenges in Niger's western regions, where persistent terrorist activity has displaced thousands since early 2025.
