Chaos at Niger Airport: Gunmen Attack, 35 Dead in Bloody Assault

Things got seriously intense over at Niger's biggest airport. We're talking about a brutal attack that left a staggering 35 people dead. This isn't the first time this airport, Diori Hamani International in the capital Niamey, has been targeted; it was hit before just a few months ago.

The official word from Niger's defense ministry is grim: 22 of the attackers were killed, along with 11 soldiers and two civilians. It's a heavy toll for everyone involved.

And who's claiming responsibility? An al-Qaeda affiliate called Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) said they were behind the assault. This is part of a decade-long struggle Niger has been facing against Islamist insurgencies. Remember, back in January, an organization linked to the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a previous attack on this very same airport. It's a deeply concerning pattern.

By midday, the violence had subsided, and security forces have been on the hunt for any remaining assailants. A local resident, Lawalli Tsalha, described the chilling moment it all started, hearing a loud bang right after prayers. "It was only a little later that we realised what was happening," he said. It’s the kind of sudden shock that’s hard to comprehend.

The defense ministry mentioned that besides the 22 attackers killed, four were injured, and a whopping 20 suspects were nabbed. On top of that, a serious haul of weapons was discovered – think RPG-7 launchers, AK-47s, explosives, grenades, and tons of ammunition.

What's even wilder is that local residents, armed with machetes and sticks, apparently joined the manhunt. Although, it seems security personnel tried to keep civilians from getting too involved. One unnamed resident noted, "The attackers mixed in with the local population, so finding them was not easy." It paints a picture of a chaotic and deeply unsettling situation where the lines between civilian and combatant blurred.

The airport was on lockdown that afternoon, with security forces meticulously checking every vehicle. The defense ministry pointed the finger at "armed mercenaries," suggesting they were backed by France, though they haven't offered any concrete proof. France, for its part, hasn't immediately responded.

This accusation comes amidst a backdrop of tense relations between Niger's current military leaders and France. Since the coup in July 2023, French soldiers have been asked to leave, with Russian military contractors stepping in.

The African Union has strongly condemned the attack, giving props to Nigerien forces for fending it off. Diori Hamani International Airport isn't just a civilian hub; it's also a military base and a key facility for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Niger and its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso. These are all countries currently run by juntas who rose to power partly due to the ongoing struggle with jihadist violence.

Back in January's airport attack, four military personnel were injured and 20 attackers were killed. At that time, Niger's military leader actually thanked Russia for its help and pointed fingers at the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast.

In the lead-up to Thursday's attack, authorities in Niger had actually been demolishing neighborhoods near the airport, citing "terrorist risks." They’d also beefed up security with a new perimeter fence and over 350 surveillance cameras. It just goes to show how high the tensions have been in the region.