Gunfire and explosions were heard early on June 18, 2026, at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger's capital, starting around 06:00 local time and lasting between one and two hours [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Residents near the airport reported hearing the gunfire mostly from the airport entrance area. One unnamed resident told AFP, "I heard the first gunshots at 06:00 (05:00 local time) while I was at the mosque. But the current situation is under control" [1]. Another resident confirmed the shots came from the airport entrance [2]. Security forces quickly sealed off the airport area and launched operations to hunt the attackers [3, 4, 6, 5]. A taxi and motorcycle driver reported to 东方日报 that "gunfire inside the airport has stopped; the situation is under control" [4].
The assailants breached the airport perimeter to enter the airport area, prompting a defense response from Niger's security forces [6, 5]. No official public statement has been issued by the Niger military or government on the incident as of reporting [1, 2, 4, 6, 5]. There are no confirmed casualty figures yet, and no specific reports of deaths or injuries from the incident have emerged so far [2, 4, 6, 5].
The attack follows a similar assault on the same airport on January 29, 2026, when jihadist militants linked to an Islamic State affiliate launched coordinated attacks on the airport and a nearby military drone base. That attack killed 20 attackers and wounded four soldiers, causing significant damage to airport facilities [4, 6]. Following that incident, Niger authorities demolished thousands of illegally built houses near the airport, an area exploited by jihadist groups, affecting approximately 26,000 residents [2, 3, 4]. Airport security was strengthened with extended fencing and installation of over 350 surveillance cameras around the perimeter [4].
Niger, like neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, has long faced jihadist violence from groups linked to al Qaeda and IS [1, 3]. According to reports, residents and local security cooperated in clearing attackers from nearby neighborhoods using sticks and machetes in the aftermath of the January attack, reflecting ongoing security challenges [4].
Gunfire reportedly ceased by around 10:00 local time, with military forces carrying out clearing operations near the airport to restore control [4]. The situation remains under close watch as authorities continue their investigation.
