Russia tightens Sahel footprint after ISIL attack on Niger airport

Russian soldiers helped repel an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group on Niger’s main airport in the capital, Niamey, last week, according to Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In a statement issued on Monday as reported byAljazeera, the ministry said the assault was repelled through “the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Defence’s African Corps and the Nigerien armed forces.” Niger’s ruling military junta had earlier confirmed that “Russian partners” assisted in countering the rare attack on the capital, during which 20 attackers—including a French national—were killed. Four Nigerien soldiers were wounded, and at least 11 suspected fighters were captured, according to state television.

“Moscow strongly condemns this latest extremist attack,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said, as quoted by state news agency TASS. The ministry added that a similar assault occurred in September 2024 on the international airport in Mali’s capital, Bamako, suggesting that “external forces providing instructor and technical support” may have been involved. Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, later visited the Russian military base in Niamey to express his “personal gratitude for the high level of professionalism” displayed by Russian forces during the defence of the airport, the ministry said.

ISIL claimed responsibility for what it described as a “surprise and coordinated attack” on the airbase at Diori Hamani International Airport on the night of January 28. A video circulated by the ISIL-affiliated Amaq media outlet appeared to show dozens of armed fighters firing assault rifles near an aircraft hangar and setting one plane ablaze before fleeing on motorbikes. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, told The Associated Press that the sophistication and boldness of the attack—including the possible use of drones—suggested the assailants may have received inside assistance.

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He added that previous successful attacks in the region appear to have emboldened the group, prompting it to target more sensitive and strategically significant locations. In the aftermath, Niger’s military authorities accused Benin, France, and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack on the airport, which also hosts a military base. However, no evidence was presented to support the allegations.

Ivory Coast’s Foreign Ministry denied the claim and summoned Niger’s ambassador to lodge a formal protest, while Benin dismissed the accusation as “not very credible.” France has not yet commented. Niger, a former French colony, hosted French troops until 2023, when Paris withdrew its forces following a breakdown in relations with the ruling junta.

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