Niger Repels Airport Attack, Accuses France and Neighbors

Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport came under attack late Wednesday night, with gunfire and explosions rocking the area near a adjacent military air base, prompting Niger's transitional leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, to accuse France and neighboring Benin and Ivory Coast of orchestrating the assault through sponsored mercenaries.

The incident unfolded around midnight local time in Niger's capital, where security forces reported heavy fighting that lasted approximately 30 minutes. Officials stated that Nigerien defense personnel, supported by Russian troops stationed at Air Base 101, quickly repelled the intruders. The defense ministry confirmed that 20 attackers were killed, including a French national according to state television footage showing bodies on the ground, while 11 suspects were arrested. Four Nigerien military personnel sustained injuries, and some aircraft at the airport suffered damage, though no serious harm to civilians was reported. The situation stabilized by early Thursday morning, with calm restored to the area about 10 kilometers from the presidential palace.

In a televised address following his visit to the base, General Tchiani directly...