Text taken from the Telegram channel of africaninitiative
Commentary by Russian military journalist Boris Rozhin is in italics:
[ColonelCassad] Niger's leader accused France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire of supporting the attack on Niamey Airport.
Niger President Abdourahmane Tchiani accused the authorities of France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire of supporting the terrorists who attacked the Niamey Airport area, including the 101st Air Force Base. "We remind the sponsors of these mercenaries, in particular [the presidents of France, Benin, and Côte d'Ivoire] Emmanuel Macron, Patrice Talon, and Alassane Ouattara, that we have heard enough of their 'barking,' and that they, in turn, must also prepare to hear our [response]," Tchiani said.
After inspecting the affected area, Tchiani told reporters that the airport had been subjected to an attempted "infiltration by remotely controlled mercenaries." He commended the efforts of the Russian military in repelling the attack. "This is an opportunity to commend the efforts of all defense and security forces, as well as our Russian partners, for their prompt actions, which allowed us to completely defeat the enemy within twenty minutes," the head of state noted.
Nigerien Defense Minister Salifou Modi reported that the armed forces had killed 20 militants and detained 11 more, most of whom were seriously wounded.
Four Nigerien soldiers were killed during the clashes.
On the night of January 29, as reported by sources of the African Initiative, an armed attack was carried out on the area of ​​the airport in the capital of Niger, Niamey, including the territory of the 101st Air Base of the country's Air Force.
As stated after the active disintegration of the French colonial empire in West Africa, France will actively sponsor terrorists and separatists in the region in order to weaken the governments of countries where national liberation movements have won, as well as to hinder the strengthening of influence of Russia, Turkey, and a number of other countries that benefited from the collapse of the French colonial empire. ECOWAS countries, where pro-French governments still remain, are also being used for attacks.
In the case of Niger, France remains haunted by the loss of access to Niger's uranium mines. This setback, of course, will not stop France from preparing new attacks and terrorist attacks in Niger. The French will also support separatists and terrorists operating against Mali and Burkina Faso.
Sahel tensions escalate after Niamey airport attack as Tchiani accuses France, Benin, and Côte d’Ivoire of sponsoring the attack
— Zagazola (@ZagazOlaMakama) January 30, 2026
By: Zagazola Makama
A coordinated attack on Dori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital has raised alarm over the growing audacity of armed… pic.twitter.com/S2nGjX0vMg
Text:
By Zagazola Makama
A coordinated attack on Dori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital has raised alarm over the growing audacity of armed groups in the Sahel and the fragility of regional security cooperation. The assault, which lasted several hours on the night of 28–29 January, was carried out by armed assailants mounted on motorcycles who switched off their headlights to infiltrate the city undetected.
The attackers reportedly targeted military installations co-located with the civilian airport, including drone platforms, air defense systems, and commercial aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines. Mortars, drones, and small arms were used in the attack.
The Nigerien Defense and Security Forces, with the support of Russian African Corps personnel, repelled the assault, sustaining four injuries among security personnel. Twenty assailants were neutralized, 11 apprehended, and several motorcycles destroyed or seized. Civilians were unharmed.
More at the link
Related:
Niamey: 2026-01-30 Five suspected militants were neutralized during last night's attack against the Niamey International Airport
Niamey: 2026-01-26 JNIM targeted a vehicle of the Nigerien army with an IED near the capital of Niamey
Niamey: 2025-12-25 Uranium stolen from Niger: A military ship blocks the port of Lomé UPDATE: Or a feint while Russia ships it by air
Niamey: 2026-01-30 Five suspected militants were neutralized during last night's attack against the Niamey International Airport
Niamey: 2026-01-26 JNIM targeted a vehicle of the Nigerien army with an IED near the capital of Niamey
Niamey: 2025-12-25 Uranium stolen from Niger: A military ship blocks the port of Lomé UPDATE: Or a feint while Russia ships it by air