Overview
- A brief night assault struck Niamey’s Diori Hamani airport and adjacent base 101, with videos and satellite images indicating anti-air defenses and burn scars before calm returned.
- The junta said four soldiers were wounded, 20 assailants were killed and 11 arrested, and it reported three civilian aircraft damaged, including two Asky jets and an Air Côte d’Ivoire plane.
- Islamic State claimed responsibility via its Amaq outlet, according to the SITE monitoring group, though the attackers’ identities and any external involvement remain unverified.
- General Abdourahamane Tiani praised unspecified Russian partners and accused France, Benin and Côte d’Ivoire of backing the attackers; Abidjan summoned Niger’s ambassador and Benin’s spokesman dismissed the threats.
- The U.S. State Department ordered the departure of nonessential embassy staff in Niger, citing security risks, as flights mostly resumed and security around the airport stayed tight.