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June 2026 Diori Hamani International Airport attack

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Not to be confused with the January 2026 Diori Hamani International Airport attack.
June 2026 Diori Hamani International Airport attack
Part of the Islamist insurgency in Niger

Diori Hamani Airport in 2005
Date18 June 2026
c. 6:00 a.m. to c. 8:00 a.m.
Location
Diori Hamani International Airport, Niamey, Niger
13°28′54″N 002°10′13″E / 13.48167°N 2.17028°E / 13.48167; 2.17028
Result Nigerien government victory
Belligerents
Niger Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin
Strength
Unknown 42+
Casualties and losses
11 killed 22 killed
20 arrested
2 civilians killed, 4 injured

On 18 June 2026, militants attacked the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, killing 13 people and injuring 4 others; 22 attackers were also killed and 20 suspects were arrested. JNIM claimed responsibility for the attack later that day.[1]

The attack was the second to take place at the airport in 2026, with an attack in January resulting in 20 deaths and 4 injuries.[2][3] This attack is likely to renew concerns about the ability of Sahel governments to contain militant groups, particularly around critical infrastructure and transport hubs.[4]

Background

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Diori Hamani International Airport

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The Diori Hamani International Airport is an international airport and military airbase in Niamey, Niger's capital.[5] It is the largest airport in the country.[6] In 2019, the airport served 363,093 passengers. The air traffic control for NIM is operated by the ASECNA, which bases one of its five air traffic zones for the continent at Niamey.[7]

JNIM

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Al-Qaeda offshoot Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin is the main group behind a surge in militant jihadist attacks across several West African nations, especially Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. It formed in Mali in 2017 as a coalition of five jihadist militant groups. In the first half of 2025, JNIM carried out over 280 attacks in Burkina Faso, double the number for the same period in 2024. The group has claimed to have killed almost 1,000 people across the Sahel since April, almost all in Burkina Faso. It is one of the deadliest militant groups in Africa.[8]

Attack

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The gunmen took two taxis and a van to a security checkpoint a few hundred meters the airport before trying to enter the terminal.[9][10] Residents said they had just finished morning prayers at about 6 a.m. when explosions and heavy gunfire occurred at the airport. The attackers, some of whom wearing explosive belts, were dispersed in the surrounding neighbourhoods.[11] Civilians picked up machetes and sticks to defend themselves. The airport vicinity was placed on lockdown. The attack lasted two hours,[12] with security forces launching a manhunt for any remaining attackers.[13]

Authorities said 22 attackers were killed and 20 suspects were arrested. A large cache of weapons, including RPG-7 launchers, AK-47 rifles, explosives, grenades, communications equipment and thousands of rounds of ammunition were seized.[13]

Victims

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The Ministry of Defence said eleven soldiers and two civilians were killed, with four others being wounded.[13]

Aftermath

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Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for the attack in a brief statement published via its official media arm, the Az-Zallaqa Foundation.[14][15] Hours after the attack, the National Civil Aviation Agency said the airport was operating normally.[16]

Reactions

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References

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  1. ^ "Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists attack Niger airport, 11 soldiers killed". Radio France Internationale. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  2. ^ perceptions, african (30 January 2026). "Attack on Niamey Airport Sparks Regional Diplomatic Crisis as Niger Accuses Neighbors and France". African Percentions. Retrieved 30 January 2026.
  3. ^ Weiss, Caleb (2 February 2026). "Islamic State video details extent of attack in Niamey". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  4. ^ "Deadly attack on Niger's main airport Niamey kills 35, highlights ongoing security threat". Aviation24.be. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 19 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  5. ^ "Explosions, sustained gunfire at airport in Niger capital, witnesses say". The Jerusalem Post. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  6. ^ "Thirty-five killed as gunmen attack Niger's biggest airport". Yahoo News via BBC News. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 19 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  7. ^ Visites du ministre des Transports et de l'Aviation Civile à l'aéroport international Diori Hamani de Niamey et au CNUT: s'enquérir des conditions de travail des agents Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Seini Seydou Zakaria, le Sahel (Niamey) 18 June 2009
  8. ^ "How an al-Qaeda offshoot became one of Africa's deadliest militant groups". BBC News. 6 July 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  9. ^ "35 killed as attackers try to storm airport in Niger's capital". BNO News. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 19 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  10. ^ "Armed attack on airport in Niger's capital kills 11 soldiers, 2 civilians". Al Jazeera. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  11. ^ "Suspected Jihadists Stage Deadly New Attack On Niger Airport". Channels TV. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 19 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  12. ^ "Al Qaeda-linked terrorists claim attack on Niger airport that killed 13". Jerusalem Post. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  13. ^ a b c "Thirty-five killed as gunmen attack Niger's biggest airport". BBC News. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  14. ^ "Niger airport attack kills 13, Al Qaeda-linked militants claim responsibility". The Economic Times. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  15. ^ "Al Qaeda-linked jihadists claim deadly attack on Niger airport". France 24. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  16. ^ "Gunmen attack Niger airport, killing 11 soldiers and 2 civilians, officials say". Associated Press. 18 June 2026. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  17. ^ "Niger Accuses Macron's France After Niamey Airport Attack Shakes Sahel". Firstpost. 20 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  18. ^ "Algeria condemns terrorist attack on Niger's main airport". Xinhua News Agency. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
  19. ^ "African Union Condemns Terrorists Attack On Niamey Airport In Niger Republic". Sahara Reporters. New York City, United States. 18 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
  20. ^ @USEmbassyNiamey (19 June 2026). "The U.S. Embassy in Niamey condemns the June 18 attack at Diori Hamani International Airport. We commend Niger's Security and Defense Forces for their response to repel the attack, protect civilians, and defend critical infrastructure. The United States strongly opposes terrorism and violent extremism in all forms. We stand with the people of Niger and support efforts to protect citizens, strengthen security, and hold those responsible accountable under the law" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 June 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
  21. ^ "What does the Niamey airport attack mean for Niger's security?". Armed Conflict Location and Event Data. 19 June 2026. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
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