New details have emerged about the terrorist attack that struck a military base inside Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Late that evening, after several hours of sweeping operations, the Nigerien army released an official casualty toll. The attack was claimed by the Support Group for Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda affiliate. Security forces repelled the assault following more than two hours of fierce clashes.
In a swift response, Nigerien authorities accused France of being behind the attack. While no specific evidence was provided, the accusation marks a further deterioration in relations between Niamey and Paris. The JNIM statement, circulated via jihadist media channels, did not mention any foreign involvement, but Niger’s government insists the attack bears the hallmarks of French intelligence operations in the Sahel.
