Al Qaeda's Sahel Branch Strikes Niger's Capital, Signaling Expanded Reach

JNIM, the Sahel's primary Al Qaeda affiliate, claimed responsibility for Thursday's coordinated assault on Niamey's main airport that killed 11 soldiers and 2 civilians. The attack marks a second strike on the facility in six months and signals JNIM's ability to operate far beyond its traditional Liptako-Gourma stronghold. The group is exploiting gaps left by France's 2024 expulsion and U.S. withdrawal, which severed the intelligence and air support networks Niger's junta once relied on after its 2023 coup.