Overview:
ISIS-linked militants attacked Niamey’s airport and a nearby air base, destroying aircraft and raising questions about security, uranium claims, and Niger’s growing ties to Russia.
According to Niger’s military and regional security experts, ISIS attacked the Niamey airport on January 28 and 29, 2026. They hit Diori Hamani International Airport and the nearby Air Base 101. Reports of damage to aircraft brought the attack to international attention, alongside separate and unverified claims by regional security sources regarding possible yellowcake uranium storage at the base and alleged Russian-linked security involvement. No independent international body has confirmed the presence of uranium at the base.
A Terrorist Attack
Reports from security organizations in the region indicate that ISIS militants used explosives and heavy artillery as the attack on Niamey airport began shortly before midnight – a process that took over an hour. For example, reports indicate that several military and civilian aircraft were damaged or destroyed during the attack on the airport in Niamey. According to regional security analysts, ISIS militants briefly controlled parts of the tarmac and recorded propaganda footage, a tactic commonly used for intimidation and recruitment.
ISIS continues to be problematic along the borders of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. The group specializes in rapid attacks, retreating across borders to avoid countermeasures. Vast ungoverned areas in the Sahel allow ISIS to evade accountability.
Regional reports have claimed that the Russian-linked Africa Corps, widely described as a successor to the Wagner Group, may have assisted Nigerien forces in responding to the attack. This represents a trend in the Sahel towards preferring involvement with Russia instead of Western powers. Niger’s shift from the U.S. and France toward Russia has accelerated since the 2023 military takeover. Neither Niger’s military government nor Russian officials have publicly confirmed this involvement.
The junta says its “anti-colonial” policy favors non-Western partnerships for stability, though critics warn of long-term costs.
Niamey’s realignment is not solely driven by security concerns. Some regional analysts argued that Western counterterrorism strategies have failed to contain jihadist insurgencies in the region despite years of military involvement. Analysts say Russia’s support does not come with conditions related to human rights or democratic governance. After the coup in 2023, the U.S. and EU stopped giving aid, which made Niger look for other options.
Yellowcake Uranium
Analysts have referenced unconfirmed and disputed reports suggesting that yellowcake uranium may have been stored at Air Base 101. This unease is mostly surrounding the political implications of the discovery, not necessarily because ISIS could have weaponized the uranium supply. Instead, it has highlighted Niger’s political maneuvering and raised concerns about potential damage if the uranium concentrate were destroyed.
What Danger Does the Uranium Stockpile Pose?
There were no indications reported from officials that the uranium concentrate had been weaponized or had been used as a nuclear projectile. The safety issue relates to the implications of any environmental and health effects that might have been produced. The implications are expanded from the environmental aspect to the political and economic realms.
If true, the reported presence of uranium at Air Base 101 would carry political implications regarding Niger’s control over its uranium sources. This is especially significant at a time when Western countries are distancing themselves from Russia, while Niger appears to be strengthening ties with Moscow. Analysts and international observers have warned that the deteriorating security environment in the Sahel, combined with what they describe as the Nigerien government’s dismissive attitude toward legal constraints, risks undermining international confidence in Niger.
The Blame Game
Foreign Interference
Aspects of the attack have drawn competing speculation of actors at fault. The junta regime in Niamey accused Benin, the Ivory Coast, and France of involvement, accusations that analysts describe as consistent with the regime’s post-coup political messaging. The accusation aligns with the regime’s broader anti-Western rhetoric following the 2023 coup. However, as of now, no concrete information is available to corroborate the junta’s claims, which have been denied by officials in Benin and the Ivory Coast.
Legal Disputes
The French nuclear company Orano has said it will take legal action against the Nigerien government if it doesn’t follow a 2025 ruling from the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). According to publicly available summaries of the case, the ruling said that Niger could not move uranium from the Arlit mines until the arbitration was over. According to publicly available summaries of the dispute, the Nigerien government was accused by Orano of having moved an unspecified quantity of yellowcake uranium from the Arlit mine site to Air Base 101, a claim that remains disputed.
Conclusion
This is a brief overview of the ISIS attack in Niamey, not a full story. Key elements of this incident remain uncontested or unverified. Niger faces significant resource and manpower constraints in its efforts to counter insurgent groups. Threats are harder to address due to limited mobility and weak regional coordination. Niger’s political stability has gotten worse since the coup in 2023 and the ongoing ISIS attacks. The security situation in the Sahel is still changing, but the attack shows some worrying signs.
Sources:
🇺🇸 DW News — “U.S., Russia vie for influence in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso”
🇳🇪 Africanews — “Niger military government to sue French uranium giant over environment”
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on information available at the time of publication from regional security sources, international media reports, and publicly available records. Some details, including claims regarding uranium storage and foreign security involvement, remain unverified or disputed. Presence News will update this report as additional confirmed information becomes available.
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