Russia, Libya, and Qatar have issued formal condemnations of the June 18 assault at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger. According to the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense, the violent clash resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers, two civilians, and 22 attackers. This marks the second time this year that the facility has been targeted.
While the al-Qaeda-linked group Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed credit for the operation, officials in Niger have attributed the violence to mercenaries allegedly backed by a Western power. Moscow characterized the ambush as a deliberate effort to destabilize the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that Russia stands with President Abdourahamane Tchiani and the people of Niger.
Libya condemned the act as a criminal attempt to compromise the security of Niger’s citizens and critical infrastructure. Tripoli urged for more robust regional and international collaboration to combat terrorism across the Sahel and Africa, pledging support for Nigerien efforts to safeguard state institutions. Qatar also issued a strong denunciation of the violence, reiterating its opposition to all forms of criminal activity and offering condolences to the victims’ families.
