- WIADOMOŚCI
Attack on the airport in Niger. A Frenchman among the attackers?
On the night of January 28 to 29, there was an attack on the Nigerien airport in Niamey. The head of the Nigerien junta accuses the presidents of France, Benin, and Ivory Coast of „sponsoring the attack”.
The Russians stationed on the spot helped to repel the attackers. The head of the Nigerien junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani, thanked the new partners. As a result of the attack, four soldiers defending the airport were injured, and some military equipment was also damaged. „The vigorous air-land response has led to the neutralization of 20 mercenaries and the arrest of 11 others, the majority of whom are seriously wounded, as well as the recovery of important war materials” - Nigerien Defence Minister General Salifou Modi said.
„Located about ten kilometers from the Nigerien presidency, Niamey International Airport is a strategic site housing a Nigerien air force base, a recently built drone base and the headquarters of the unified force created by Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to fight the jihadist groups that are bloodying them” – France 24 reports. At the time of the attack, around 300 Italian soldiers were reportedly stationed at the airport, in connection with the Italian Support Mission in Niger (MISIN). According to the Italian side, their personnel was not involved (either in the attack or in the defense of the airport).
After the attack, the head of the Nigerien junta, General Abdourahamane Tiani, visited the base in Niamey, and the visit was broadcast on television. The bodies of the killed attackers were presented, and it was explained that one of them was supposed to be French. The French side rejects allegations of attempting to destabilize the regime in Niger. Observers are trying to link the attack to the activity of jihadist groups in the region. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM, linked to Al-Qaeda) and the Islamic State in the Sahel (ISS) operate there. So far, none of the groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.
Russia’s interest in the region is related to access to uranium, which is mined and exported by Niger. This metal is needed for producing energy and nuclear weapons. A shipment containing uranium was at the airport at the time of the attack.
