"The ISIL (ISIS) armed group has claimed responsibility for an attack on an air force base at Niger's main airport. The ISIL-affiliated Amaq News Agency reported on Friday that the group carried out a surprise and coordinated attack on the base at Diori Hamani International Airport near the capital, Niamey. It claimed the attack caused significant damage, without providing more details."
"On Thursday, military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani thanked Russian troops stationed at the base for defending their sector, confirming his nation's growing ties with Moscow, which has provided military support to tackle the armed rebellion. Tiani also accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack, without offering any evidence, saying on state television that the three countries should be ready to hear us roar."
"The military government, which took power in a 2023 coup, said security forces killed 20 attackers in fighting after the attack, which took place shortly after midnight on Thursday. Four army soldiers were wounded in the violence. Niger's authorities have been fighting ISIL affiliate Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS) and the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) in the west and southeast of the country for a decade."
Niger's main airport air force base at Diori Hamani International Airport near Niamey suffered a surprise, coordinated attack that ISIL's Amaq News Agency claimed responsibility for, saying it caused significant damage. The military government reported that security forces killed 20 attackers after fighting shortly after midnight, and four soldiers were wounded. Niger has been combating ISIL affiliate EIS and al-Qaeda-linked JNIM in western and southeastern regions for a decade. ISIL affiliates have been linked to recent high-profile attacks, including more than 120 deaths in Tillaberi and the abduction of a US pilot. General Abdourahamane Tiani thanked Russian troops and accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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