February 3, 2026 l By Dalena Reporters
PARIS/NIIAMEY — Russian military personnel reportedly played a key role in repelling a Daesh-claimed attack on Niger’s main international airport in Niamey, officials from Moscow and the West African nation’s ruling junta announced on Monday as global attention turns to escalating militant activity in the Sahel.
The assault, which occurred late last week at the airport complex also home to a strategic military base was pushed back through what the Russian Foreign Ministry termed the “joint efforts” of the Russian African Corps and Nigerien armed forces. According to a ministry communiqué, the engagement resulted in 20 attackers killed, while four Nigerien soldiers sustained injuries.
Militant group Daesh (ISIS) publicly claimed responsibility for the operation and released a video via its Amaq news agency showing dozens of fighters armed with assault rifles, engaging in combat and setting fire to at least one aircraft before retreating on motorbikes.
In claiming credit for repelling the raid, Niger’s ruling military junta also accused regional actors including Benin, France, and Ivory Coast of allegedly sponsoring the attack, a claim that has heightened diplomatic tensions in an already volatile region.
The airport in Niamey holds significant strategic value for Niger and its partners, serving as both a commercial transit hub and a base for security operations against extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Daesh throughout the Sahel. Amid increasing attacks across Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, the region has seen a surge in violence that has displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians and threatened critical infrastructure.
Moscow’s involvement in the Sahel reflects Russia’s broader campaign to expand influence across Africa following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian troops, military advisers, and private military contractors previously operated in multiple African states including Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, and Libya efforts that analysts say aim to cement long-term military partnerships and counter Western influence.
In recent months, the Russian African Corps has been reported to replace private groups such as the Wagner Group as the Kremlin’s principal instrument for projecting military influence on the continent. Russian officials maintain these forces are deployed to support local armies in “counter-terrorism operations” and “strengthen regional stability,” though Western observers argue that such involvement complicates conflict dynamics and raises questions about accountability.
Niger’s junta leader, General Abdourahamane Tiani, personally visited the Russian base to express appreciation for the assistance, according to Russian officials. Tiani’s gesture underscores the growing defence ties between Niamey and Moscow amid diplomatic isolation from Western governments following a February 2024 coup that ousted the democratically elected administration.
The attack and its aftermath highlight the enduring threat posed by extremist groups in West Africa, even as international coalitions adjust strategies following significant troop withdrawals by former French forces and shifting alliances among regional governments. Analysts caution that militant organisations may exploit political instability and security vacuums particularly around critical infrastructure such as airports to expand their footholds unless coordinated counter-terror efforts are strengthened.
As NATO, the African Union, and regional blocs monitor evolving conflict patterns, Niger’s reliance on external military partners such as Russia has ignited debate around sovereignty, regional security strategies, and the future role of international military cooperation in stabilising the Sahel.