IS Militants Attack Niger Airport, Roam Among Planes; US Orders Evacuation

• Islamic State (IS) militants launched a coordinated attack on Diori Hamani International Airport and Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger.
• Footage distributed by SITE Intelligence Group shows militants setting off explosions and moving freely among parked passenger planes.
• The attack resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and 20 attackers, with IS claiming responsibility.
• Militants were seen firing weapons, setting an unmanned aerial vehicle and a helicopter ablaze, and damaging two ASKY Airlines aircraft and one Air Cote d'Ivoire Airbus A319.
• No passengers or crew were injured as the incident occurred outside operational hours; the US has ordered non-emergency staff to leave Niger.

Why It Matters: IS militants attacked Niger's main airport, causing damage and raising security concerns, leading to US evacuations.