Niger Airport Attack: IS Militants Roam Among Planes, US Evacuates Staff

• A terrorist attack by Islamic State (IS) occurred on January 29 at Diori Hamani International Airport and Air Base 101 in Niamey, Niger.
• Videos released by SITE Intelligence Group show armed militants moving near passenger planes, firing, and setting a drone and helicopter on fire.
• Four soldiers were killed and 20 attackers neutralized during the 'sudden and coordinated attack' which caused chaos for several hours.
• US crisis monitoring group ACLED suggests involvement of experienced Islamic State West Africa Province fighters based on language spoken in videos.
• The US government has ordered non-emergency employees and their families to leave Niger; two ASKY Airlines and one Air Côte d'Ivoire aircraft sustained minor damage.

Why It Matters: IS militants attacked Niger's main airport, prompting US evacuation and raising severe security concerns.