Members of the Nigerien army walk near the motorcycles seized from the attackers, following an attack on Niamey International Airport, in Niamey, Niger January 29, 2026, in this screengrab from a video. ORTN/Reuters TV/Handout via REUTERS
Jan 30 - Islamic State claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on the airport in Niger's capital Niamey in a statement on Friday, according to SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist activity and communications worldwide.
The Islamic State affiliate in the region has been linked to high-profile attacks in Niger in recent months, killing over a 120 people in strikes targeting the Tillaberi region in September and abducting an American pilot in Octover.
Niger's government said in a statement that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and security forces quickly repelled their advance. In the fighting that ensued, four soldiers werewounded, it said.
Material losses at the airport included a stash of ammunition that caught fire, the government said, and several civilian airplanes that were damaged.
Islamic State described the assault as a "surprise and coordinated attack" that inflicted "significant damage" without providing further details.
(Reporting by Jessica Donati; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet)
