ISIS-Sahel has released disturbing footage of a coordinated assault on Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, highlighting a major security breakdown. The video, dated January 27, 2026, shows dozens of fighters, including motorcycle-mounted and foot operatives, breaching both civilian and military sections of the airport. Attackers moved freely through hangars and warehouses used by the Niger Armed Forces, underscoring the near-total collapse of perimeter security.

According to the video and local reporting, ISIS operatives destroyed or damaged multiple aircraft, including a Diamond DA42 surveillance plane, a Mi-171Sh helicopter, a Turkish Hürkuş-C light ground-attack aircraft, and a Cessna. At the civilian terminal, several commercial aircraft were also struck by small-arms fire, including planes operated by ASKY Airlines and Air Côte d'Ivoire.

The attack represents one of the most severe security failures in Niger since the 2023 military coup, raising questions about the junta’s control, the military’s readiness, and the growing operational reach of jihadist groups across the Sahel. Analysts point to the 2023 expulsion of French counterterrorism forces as a key factor enabling ISIS-Sahel’s expansion, with the group reportedly carrying out 200 attacks in 2025 alone, contributing to over 2,000 jihadist-related deaths across the region.

Footage from the raid shows fighters penetrating unsecured hangars and open areas, demonstrating both tactical planning and confidence in exploiting Niger’s weakened defenses. The assault is likely to increase international scrutiny of the Sahel’s security situation, as regional and Western partners assess risks posed by ISIS-affiliated groups and the ongoing instability stemming from military and governance challenges in Niger.