Moscow “strongly condemned” the attack on the airport in the capital, Niamey, where 20 rebels were killed and four soldiers were wounded.
Russian troops helped repel an attack claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) armed group on the main airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, last week, according to Moscow’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The attack was repelled by the joint efforts of the African Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Nigerian Armed Forces,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
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Niger’s governing army earlier said “Russian partners” helped thwart the rare attack on the capital, which killed 20 attackers, including a French national, and wounded four army soldiers.
At least 11 fighters were also captured, Niger state television said.
“Moscow strongly condemns this latest terrorist attack,” the foreign ministry added in a statement, according to Russia’s state TASS news agency.
“A similar attack took place at the international airport in Mali’s capital in September 2024. According to available information, external forces providing trainers and technical support are involved,” the ministry said, according to TASS.
Niger’s military chief, Abdorhamane Tchiani, visited the Russian military base in Niamey to express his “personal gratitude for the high-level professionalism” of Russian forces in defending the airport, the ministry added.
ISIL claimed responsibility for a “surprise and coordinated attack” on the airbase Diori Hamani International Airport On the night of January 28 near Niamey.
A video published online by ISIL-affiliated media Amaq showed several dozen attackers with assault rifles firing near an aircraft hangar and setting a plane on fire before leaving on motorcycles.
Ulf Lessing, head of Germany’s Konrad Adenauer Foundation’s Sahel program, told the Associated Press news agency that the sophistication and boldness of the attack, along with the possible use of drones by the attackers, suggests the attackers may have had help from within.
Previous successful attacks in the region appear to have boosted the group’s confidence, leading it to target more sensitive and strategically important locations, Lessing said.
Niger’s military initially accused Benin, France and Ivory Coast of sponsoring the attack on the airport, which also houses a military base. The Army, however, has not provided any evidence to back up its claim.
Ivory Coast’s foreign ministry denied the allegations and summoned Niger’s ambassador to protest. Benin also denied the claim and described it as “not very credible”.
France has yet to comment.
Niger is a former colony of France, which a military presence in the country by 2023.
Russia rarely comments on its military activities in the Sahel region, where Moscow is located increasing its influence In recent years.
Faced with isolation since its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sought to forge new military and political partnerships across Africa.
In addition to Niger, Russian troops or military trainers are reported to be stationed in Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Libya.
It is occupied by Russia’s African Corps Wagner mercenary force Throughout the continent. According to Moscow, the corps helps “fight terrorists” and “strengthens regional stability” in the Sahel.
Nigerien authorities have been battling the al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) and the ISIL affiliate in the Sahel (EIS) for the past decade.