Russian Forces Join Niger in Repelling ISIL Assault on Niamey Airport, Moscow Confirms

Russian authorities have formally confirmed that their military personnel assisted Nigerien forces in repelling a rare and coordinated ISIL (ISIS) attack on Niger’s main international airport in the capital, Niamey, an incident that left at least 20 attackers dead and several soldiers wounded.

According to a statement released by Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the assault—claimed by ISIL—was thwarted through “joint efforts” between Niger’s armed forces and the Russian Ministry of Defence’s African Corps. This unit has increasingly taken on roles previously associated with the Wagner Group across the African continent.

A Rare and Bold Attack on the Capital

The attack unfolded on the night of January 28 at the Diori Hamani International Airport, a strategically vital facility that also hosts a military base. ISIL’s media arm, Amaq, released video footage showing dozens of armed fighters firing near an aircraft hangar and setting one plane ablaze before fleeing on motorbikes.

Niger’s military reported that 20 attackers—including a French national—were killed, while four Nigerien soldiers sustained injuries. At least 11 suspected fighters were captured.

Russian officials condemned the assault as an “extremist attack,” drawing parallels to a similar ISIL‑claimed strike on Mali’s capital airport in September 2024.

Niger’s Leadership Expresses Gratitude

Niger’s military chief, Abdourahamane Tchiani, visited the Russian military base in Niamey following the incident, expressing “personal gratitude for a high level of professionalism” demonstrated by Russian forces during the defense of the airport.

The Nigerien junta had earlier referred to “Russian partners” in its initial briefing on the attack, highlighting the growing military cooperation between the two nations since the country’s political realignment away from Western partners in 2023.

Speculation Over External Support

The sophistication of the assault has raised questions among regional analysts. Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel programme at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, noted that the attackers may have used drones and possibly benefited from inside assistance—an indication of increasing operational confidence among extremist groups in the region.

Niger’s military initially accused Benin, France, and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack, though it provided no evidence. Ivory Coast and Benin swiftly rejected the allegations, with Benin calling them “not very credible.” France has not publicly commented.

Russia’s Expanding Footprint in the Sahel

Moscow’s confirmation marks a rare public acknowledgment of its military activities in the Sahel, a region where Russia has steadily expanded its influence amid a wave of anti‑Western coups. Russian troops or military instructors are now reported to be active in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, the Central African Republic, and Libya.

Facing geopolitical isolation following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sought to deepen political and security partnerships across Africa. Its African Corps, now replacing Wagner’s operations, is officially described as contributing to “fighting terrorists” and “strengthening regional stability.”

A Region Under Persistent Threat

Niger continues to battle multiple extremist factions, including the Al‑Qaeda‑linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), which have destabilized communities in the country’s west and southeast for more than a decade.

The latest attack underscores the evolving threat landscape in the Sahel, where militant groups are increasingly targeting high‑value infrastructure and capital cities—an escalation that regional governments fear could further undermine security and political stability.