February 2, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel | News
The Islamic State–West Africa Province (ISWAP) has released disturbing video footage showing its fighters carrying out a brazen attack on the 101 Air Force Base of the Nigerien Air Force, located within the Diori Hamani International Airport complex in Niamey.
The video, obtained and reviewed by SUNTV Global Channel, shows dozens of heavily armed militants riding motorcycles into the sensitive military facility, firing heavy weapons and vandalising aircraft parked on the tarmac. No immediate resistance from Nigerien security forces is visible in the footage.
During the operation, the attackers were seen destroying military assets and celebrating what they described as a successful mission, repeatedly chanting “Allahu Akbar” as they overran parts of the base.
The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors extremist activities worldwide, confirmed that the Islamic State in the Sahel has formally claimed responsibility for the assault. The group described the operation as a coordinated attack on both the international airport and the adjoining air force base in Niger’s capital.
Security analysts warn that the group is likely to release a longer, documentary-style propaganda video in the coming days, a tactic commonly employed by Islamic State affiliates following high-profile attacks in the region.
The release of the footage has sparked serious concerns over security lapses at one of Niger’s most strategic military installations, raising questions about the capacity of the country’s armed forces to protect critical infrastructure amid worsening insurgent violence.
Last Thursday, explosions and intense gunfire rocked Niamey, with residents reporting sustained shooting near the international airport shortly after midnight. Eyewitnesses said the violence lasted for nearly two hours, sending shockwaves through nearby neighbourhoods.
Videos recorded by locals showed flashes of light cutting through the night sky, loud explosions, and fires burning several metres high. Other clips circulating online revealed charred vehicles and significant damage within the airport vicinity.
Residents living close to Diori Hamani International Airport reported hearing sirens as emergency responders, including fire trucks, moved toward the area in the early hours of the morning. Calm reportedly returned by around 2 a.m.
The airport, located approximately 10 kilometres from Niger’s presidential palace, houses a key air force base and serves as a strategic military hub. It also hosts the headquarters of a joint task force involving Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, established to combat terrorist groups across the Sahel.
Niger has been under military rule since 2023, following the ousting of its elected government by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Since then, the country has expelled French and U.S. forces that previously supported counterterrorism efforts.
Despite repeated assurances by military-led governments in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to prioritise security, jihadist attacks across the Sahel — including parts of Nigeria — have continued to intensify, further destabilising the region.
