Jihadists launched a violent assault on the Niamey airport in Niger on Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least eleven soldiers and two civilians. The attackers, who arrived in taxis and wore explosive belts, attempted to storm the terminal but were repelled after hours of intense gunfire. Nigerien authorities report that 22 assailants were killed during the confrontation. The Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), Al-Qaeda's Sahelian branch, claimed responsibility for the operation. This marks the second time in less than six months that the airport has been targeted, following a January attack by the Islamic State in the Sahel. While supporters of the military junta view the failure of the attackers to enter the terminal as a success, critics highlight the persistent security vulnerabilities in the capital. Observers suggest these events underscore the fragility of military regimes in the Sahel region.