Islamic State fighters destroyed at least five military aircraft during a nighttime attack on Air Base 101 and Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital Niamey last week.
One Diamond DA 42 MPP Guardian intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft, two Cessna Caravan ISR aircraft, one Mi-171 helicopter and one TAI Hurkus trainer/light attack aircraft were destroyed in the 28/29 January attack. A statement released by the Islamic State claims at least one unmanned aerial vehicle was also destroyed.
A video released by the group’s Amaq News Agency shows several dozen insurgents arriving at the air base on motorcycles, and destroying aircraft with RPGs and gunfire. They are also seen next to civilian aircraft at the international airport terminal, and shoot at several airliners parked there – local reports indicate two civilian aircraft were damaged. Air Cote d’Ivoire said one of its aircraft was hit by gunfire.
Photo: Amaq News
Nigerien officials stated four soldiers were wounded in the attack, but unofficial reports suggest two dozen Nigerien soldiers and three Russian private military contractors were killed. Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the attack was repelled through the joint efforts of Africa Corps personnel and Nigerien soldiers. Niger was a Western ally until a 2023 military coup saw it cut ties with France and turn to Russia for assistance in battling Islamist insurgents.
Niger’s state television reported that 11 Islamic State fighters were captured and 20 killed, but this has not been confirmed. In its statement, the Islamic State said its retreating fighters were targeted by a drone strike but gave no further detail.
The latest attack is one of the most audacious by the Islamic State in Niger in recent times. In October last year, it is believed the group kidnapped US pilot Kevin Rideout, and killed over 120 people in the Tillaberi region of the country in September.
The loss of five aircraft is a major blow to Niger’s small Air Force. Before the late January attack, it flew two DA 42s, one King Air, two Hurkus, three C-130H Hercules, a Boeing 737, two Su-25 and a single Do 228 fixed wing aircraft. Between 2013 and 2015 Niger received four Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft from the United States, with two configured for surveillance.
Rotary wing aircraft in Niger’s Air Force included two Mi-171s, two Mi-17s, three Mi-8s, four Mi-35Ps, five Gazelles, and five Bell 412s. In addition, Turkey delivered six Bayraktar TB unmanned aerial vehicles in 2022.
