ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on Niamey airport in Niger – Mehr news agency RCO News Agency

According to Mehr news agency, citing Al-Mayadin, the American study group “Site” which monitors the activities of armed groups around the world, announced this news.

According to this report, the regional branch of ISIS has been responsible for several deadly attacks in Niger in recent months; including an attack in the Tillaby region in September that left more than 120 dead, as well as the hijacking of an American pilot in October.

The attack began on Wednesday night at Niamey airport and was accompanied by heavy shooting and explosions, and calm returned to the area on Thursday morning.

Abdelrahman Tiani, head of Niger’s ruling military council, accused France, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire of supporting the attack and promised revenge.

In its statement, ISIS described the operation as a “surprise and coordinated attack” that the group said had caused “heavy casualties,” but did not provide further details.

Meanwhile, Niger’s Ministry of Defense announced that the attackers had arrived at the attack site on a motorcycle and the security forces managed to drive them back quickly.

The ministry added that during the clashes, four soldiers were injured.

According to Niger’s Ministry of Defense, material damage to the airport included a fire in an ammunition warehouse and damage to several civilian aircraft.

Nigerian authorities also announced that 20 attackers were killed and 11 others were wounded.

Reuters reported that it could not independently verify the death toll.