"Russian soldiers helped repel an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group on Niger's main airport in the capital, Niamey, last week, according to Moscow's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The attack was repelled through the joint efforts of the Russian Ministry of Defence's African Corps and the Nigerien armed forces, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Monday."
"ISIL claimed responsibility for the surprise and coordinated attack on the airbase at the Diori Hamani international airport near Niamey on the night of January 28. A video published online through the ISIL-affiliated media Amaq showed several dozen attackers with assault rifles firing near an aircraft hangar and setting ablaze one plane before leaving on motorbikes."
Russian and Nigerien forces jointly repelled an ISIL-claimed assault on Niamey's Diori Hamani international airport, resulting in 20 attackers killed and four Nigerien soldiers wounded. At least 11 fighters were captured and one attacker was reported to be a French national. Moscow credited the Russian Ministry of Defence's African Corps with supporting Nigerien forces in fending off the raid. The Foreign Ministry condemned the extremist attack and suggested external instructor and technical support may be involved in similar Sahel assaults. Niger's military chief visited the Russian base to express gratitude for the defense effort.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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