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35 Dead in Attack on African Country's Main Airport
Newser • • world
Key Points:
- Gunmen attacked Niamey's main airport in Niger early Thursday, killing 11 soldiers and two civilians, with 22 attackers also killed in the ensuing firefight, according to authorities.
- Niger's Defense Ministry stated the attack was foiled, resulting in the arrest of 20 suspects and the seizure of weapons including RPG-7 launchers, AK-47 rifles, and explosives.
- The al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin claimed responsibility for the attack, marking the second assault on Diori Hamani International Airport this year following a January attack by the Islamic State group.
- The airport is a strategic site hosting a Nigerien air force base and the joint military headquarters for Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali, all countries facing ongoing jihadi violence and military rule.
- Witnesses reported armed residents joining the hunt for attackers who blended into the local population, with civilians arming themselves to defend their community after the incident.
