The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous terrorist attack that targeted Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, which resulted in dozens of casualties, both dead and wounded. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom's firm and unwavering stance against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, and its categorical rejection of targeting innocent civilians and vital infrastructure.
In its statement, the Kingdom offered its deepest condolences and sincere sympathies to the families of the victims and to the government and people of the brotherly Republic of Niger, expressing its wishes for a speedy recovery for all those injured. It also emphasized its full support and solidarity with Niger in confronting all threats to its security and stability.
turbulent regional context
This attack comes amid a deteriorating security situation in the Sahel region of Africa, particularly in Niger, which faces growing security challenges from extremist groups operating in the area, such as the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate. The tri-border area between Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso is a hotbed of terrorist activity, where these groups exploit security vacuums and political instability to launch their attacks.
Like other Sahel countries, Niger is experiencing political instability, further complicating the security situation. Targeting an international airport like Diori Hamani is not only an attack on vital infrastructure, but also a challenge to state authority, an attempt to isolate the country from the outside world, and a blow to its economy, which is heavily reliant on international aid and partnerships.
Importance and potential impacts
This terrorist attack has serious repercussions at the local, regional, and international levels. Locally , it exacerbates fear and anxiety among citizens and undermines confidence in the security forces' ability to protect the country. Regionally , it underscores the transnational nature of the terrorist threat in the Sahel and highlights the urgent need to strengthen security cooperation among the region's countries to confront this shared danger.
At the international level , the attack renews calls for the international community to provide greater support to the Sahel countries, not only militarily and in terms of security, but also by addressing the root causes of extremism, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of development. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's condemnation of this attack underscores the importance of international solidarity and the unification of global efforts to combat terrorism, cut off its ideological and financial resources, and support stability and development in the affected regions.
