Niger’s armed forces have carried out a large-scale air and ground offensive in the southeastern Diffa region, killing 43 suspected militants and arresting 28 others, according to a statement by the Integrated Operations Coordination Center (CICO).
The early-February operation targeted insurgent networks near the Lake Chad Basin, a long-standing stronghold of Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). Military officials described the mission as a “major logistical disruption” of extremist supply chains.
Explosives and Fuel Seized
Security forces recovered large quantities of explosives and contraband, including:
- 5,452 sticks of dynamite
- 68 rolls of detonating cord
- Over 68,000 liters of smuggled fuel
- Hundreds of thousands of “harmful tablets,” believed to be tramadol or Captagon
Officials said the scale of the seizure indicates the dismantling of a key operational hub supporting attacks in southeastern Niger and neighboring countries.
Escalating Multi-Front Threats
The Diffa operation comes amid rising security challenges nationwide.
Niamey Airport Attack
On January 29, militants linked to the Islamic State launched a coordinated assault on Diori Hamani International Airport and adjacent Air Base 101.
Authorities reported 20 attackers killed and 11 captured. At least five military aircraft were destroyed, and civilian aircraft belonging to Air Côte d’Ivoire and ASKY Airlines were damaged.
The attack marked one of the most serious strikes on Niger’s military infrastructure in recent years.
Following the incident, Head of State Abdourahamane Tiani accused foreign powers, particularly France, of pursuing a “destabilization agenda.”
Western Front: Tillabéri and Makalondi
In western Niger near Burkina Faso, security forces killed 20 suspected militants in Makalondi on February 11, days after an ambush on February 4 killed three soldiers.
Tillabéri remains contested by Islamic State-Sahel (IS-Sahel) and Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM).
Strategic Realignment
Niger’s operations unfold amid broader geopolitical shifts. The country is aligned with Mali and Burkina Faso under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
The U.S. withdrew from Air Base 101 in late 2024. Since then, Niger has increased cooperation with Russian-linked security actors, including the Africa Corps.
A Multi-Front War
| Region | Primary Threat | Key Outcome (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Diffa | Boko Haram / ISWAP | 43 killed; 28 arrested |
| Tillabéri | IS-Sahel / JNIM | 20 killed; 3 soldiers dead |
| Niamey | Islamic State | Airport attack repelled |
Security conditions remain volatile despite recent tactical gains.
