Soldiers of the Afrika Korps of the Russian Defense Ministry helped repel the ISIS attack in Niger

On the night of January 29, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Niger and members of the Afrika Korps of the Russian Defense Ministry jointly repelled an attack by about 40 militants on Niamey International Airport. This was reported on February 2 on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"On the night of January 29, a group of militants (about 40 people) carried out an armed attack on the Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital of Niger, Niamey, and the nearby 101st base of the Niger Air Force (Air Force — Ed.), where the operational command of the United Forces of the Confederation of Sahel States (AGS) is stationed," — the statement says.

It is noted that the Islamic State group (IS, a terrorist organization banned in the Russian Federation), which is active in the Sahara-Sahel region, claimed responsibility for the attack.

During the repulse of the attack, about 20 militants were eliminated. In addition, weapons and property of the terrorists were seized. After that, President of Niger Abdurahman Chiani and Minister of National Defense Salifa Modi visited the location of the Russian military. The politicians expressed their personal gratitude to the Russian fighters for their personal professionalism.

"Moscow strongly condemns another extremist attack. A similar attack took place in September 2024 on the capital airport of Mali," the Foreign Ministry said.

According to the information available to the Russian side, "external forces providing instructional and technical support" were involved in the actions of the terrorists.

In June 2024, the Honorary Consul of Russia in the Republic of Addo Iro told Izvestia that, given the numerous terrorist groups that the authorities of Niger have to fight, the country is interested in deploying a full-fledged base of the Russian Armed Forces on its territory. Cooperation between Niamey and Moscow in the field of security began after General Chiani came to power and the withdrawal of French troops from the country.

In September of the same year, 77 people were killed and more than 200 injured in a terrorist attack on a police school and an airport in Bamako, the capital of Mali. At the same time, an attack was also carried out on the Modibo Keita International Airport. Access to it was temporarily restricted due to the attack.

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