Attack on Niger's airport highlights expansion of jihadis into Africa's Sahel region

By — Wilson McMakin, Associated Press Wilson McMakin, Associated Press By — Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press Chinedu Asadu, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/attack-on-nigers-airport-highlights-expansion-of-jihadis-into-africas-sahel-region Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Attack on Niger's airport highlights expansion of jihadis into Africa's Sahel region World Jun 19, 2026 1:43 PM EDT DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The gunfire and explosions that ripped through Niger's main international airport are the latest sign of armed groups increasingly targeting cities and urban centers in Africa's Sahel region, where they are competing for influence and territories, analysts say. The al-Qaeda-linked JNIM jihadi group, the most potent in the Sahel region south of the Sahara desert, claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey that killed 11 soldiers and two civilians. It was the second attack this year at the airport, a strategic hub that serves as the ruling military's command, hosting its air force base and most of its drones and aircraft. It's also the headquarters of the regional alliance that brings together troops from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. READ MORE: Why Niger is investigating the $5 million sale of the largest Mars rock found on Earth A similar attack in January, which was claimed by the Islamic State group's Sahel Province (ISSP), also saw motorcycle-riding gunmen storm the airport facility as they targeted expensive drones. The attacks in Niger, unseen at this scale in recent years, follow a major raid and continuing fuel blockade by al-Qaida inside and around Mali's capital of Bamako. Both al-Qaida and Islamic State group-backed militants, rivals for control of the territory in the Sahel with competing goals and strategic aspirations, started escalating their attacks last year as they seek for more influence in what is known to be global hot spot for terrorism. The recent attacks reflect a changing militant strategy that increasingly includes urban centers alongside remote, poorly policed communities where insurgent groups traditionally operate, said Ibrahim Yahaya Ibrahim, deputy project director for the International Crisis Group, a think tank. Militant groups turn the Sahel into the Wild West At the heart of the militant activity are the three neighboring Sahel states of Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali. They are governed by military juntas that staged coups fueled by resentment toward old Western partners and democratic governments. The three governments have turned to Russia as a major security ally after turning back from Western allies. French and American forces withdrew, while Russian military personnel moved in. The attack on Thursday had less significance than the one in January but was important for JNIM and its operations, Ibrahim said. "JNIM in Niger is trying to mark its territory. Th