• 11 soldiers and 2 civilians killed in the latest attack on Niger's capital airport.
• 22 attackers were also killed as security forces repelled the assault.
• Witnesses reported sustained gunfire and explosions early Thursday morning.
• Normal airport operations resumed despite initial chaos and security clampdown.
• Previous attack on the airport in January was also attributed to the Islamic State affiliate.

A violent attack at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger's capital, resulted in the deaths of 11 soldiers and 2 civilians on Thursday morning. The government reported that 22 attackers were killed during the incident, with a large military presence deployed at the scene to control the situation, according to South China Morning Post and Africanews.

Witnesses reported that the violence began around 6 a.m. local time, with sustained gunfire and explosions heard for several hours. Security forces swiftly engaged the attackers, resulting in a chaotic scene as nearby residents observed the ongoing conflict, as detailed by Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The military junta in Niger, struggling against a backdrop of jihadist violence for over a decade, faced criticism for failing to prevent such attacks. In response, government officials claimed to have conducted a large-scale operation, apprehending about 20 suspects linked to the assault, reports South China Morning Post and Africanews.

Prior to Thursday’s incident, the airport had been targeted by the Islamic State affiliate in January, indicating a significant threat to security forces and civilians alike. Following the attack, airport operations, while compromised initially, were reported to have resumed as security measures tightened, confirming that the situation was under control, according to Africanews and Reuters.