Sahel security: jihadist assault on Niamey airport highlights russian military shift

The night of January 28 to 29 saw an unprecedented assault on Niger’s stability, as armed clashes erupted around Niamey’s international airport. The attack, which unfolded just after midnight, was later claimed by the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) through its AMAQ news outlet, marking a rare direct strike on the country’s capital.

Military response and Russian involvement in Niger

Nigerien authorities reported the assault lasted approximately one hour before being repelled through a coordinated aeroterrestrial counterattack. Official figures, though unverifiable, cite 20 attackers killed, 11 captured, and four soldiers injured. On February 2, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that members of the Africa Corps—a unit under the Russian Defense Ministry—assisted Nigerien forces in securing the area, which includes the strategically vital Air Base 101.

Propaganda and evidence from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahel

Two days after the incident, ISGS escalated its propagandistic campaign by releasing a video allegedly filmed during the attack. The footage, branded with the AMAQ logo, depicts dozens of armed militants, some on motorcycles, advancing through the airport’s military zone. The video shows assailants targeting hangars, opening fire, and setting fires, damaging two small planes and a helicopter—part of Niger’s aerial fleet used against jihadist groups. Satellite imagery corroborates scorched areas near the runway.

The propaganda continues as militants shift focus to the civilian section of the airport, filming commercial aircraft bearing the logos of Asky Airlines and Air Côte d’Ivoire. While Nigerien authorities confirmed damage to three civilian jets, the Defense Ministry mentioned additional losses, including a munitions stockpile that ignited, though details remain scarce.

Niger’s shifting security alliances and rising jihadist pressure

Though Niger has faced a decade of violence from groups like the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (GSIM), direct attacks on Niamey remain uncommon. Just days before the airport assault, GSIM claimed responsibility for destroying a military vehicle east of the capital, signaling an intensifying threat near government strongholds.

This surge in jihadist activity coincides with Niger’s realignment of security partnerships. Since the July 2023 coup, Niamey has pivoted toward Moscow while distancing itself from Western allies. France’s forced withdrawal in late 2023 was followed by the U.S. reducing its military presence in 2024, though diplomatic ties remain intact.

Diplomatic fallout and regional tensions

General Abdourahamane Tiani, Niger’s junta leader, accused France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring the attack—a claim swiftly rejected by Abidjan and Cotonou. Côte d’Ivoire summoned Niger’s ambassador, condemning the remarks as “gravely serious” and warning of potential bilateral repercussions.

Meanwhile, nearly 300 Italian troops stationed in Niger as part of the Italian Mission in Support of Niger (MISIN) remained uninvolved in the combat, with Defense Minister Guido Crosetto emphasizing their top priority: safeguarding personnel.

The airport’s strategic importance and uranium dispute

Niamey’s airport is more than a logistical hub—it hosts Air Base 101, serves as the headquarters for the Liptako-Gourma Joint Force (comprising Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso), and stores a significant uranium concentrate stockpile. This resource, central to a dispute with French firm Orano, may be transferred to Russia, though Niger has yet to finalize logistical plans for its relocation.

Despite the assault, air traffic resumed the following day, and life in surrounding neighborhoods quickly returned to normal. Yet the attack underscores a critical turning point: by striking the capital’s logistical and military nerve center, ISGS has demonstrated its operational reach, while Russia’s involvement highlights Niger’s shifting security paradigm—one that risks further destabilizing the region.