Niger Accuses France, Benin, Ivory Coast in Airport Attack. Niamey, Niger — January 30, 2026 Lead Paragraph: Niger’s military leader, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, has accused the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of supporting an attack on an Air Force base at Niamey’s international airport.
The attack resulted in injuries to soldiers, damage to an aircraft, and a high toll among the attackers, according to state TV reports.
General Tchiani made these accusations on state television without providing any evidence to support them.
The attack took place on a Thursday, with heavy gunfire and explosions reported near the airport. Nigerien forces responded swiftly, killing 20 of the attackers and arresting 11 others, state TV reported.
Since seizing power in a coup, Niger’s military rulers have cut ties with France and other Western powers and turned to Russia for military support to combat insurgencies.
The juntas also frequently accuse the presidents of Benin and Ivory Coast, two West African countries with close ties to France, of acting as proxies for Paris. Regional officials confirmed that the sophistication and boldness of the airport attack suggest that the assailants may have had inside help.
Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation, noted that earlier successful attacks in the region have increased the groups’ confidence.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Amaq News Agency, the group’s propaganda wing.
The statement described the incident as a “surprise and coordinated attack “that inflicted heavy losses.
The situation remains developing, with no official response from the accused governments. Further details are expected as the investigation into the attack continues.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 3*
