AU condemns "heinous" attacks in Niger, including assault on Niamey airport

ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has condemned two successive "heinous" terrorist attacks in Niger in January.

The AU, in a statement issued late Friday, said the AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has learned "with deep concern" of the attack carried out against the Diori Hamani International Airport in the country's capital Niamey during night of Jan. 28 to 29 by armed individuals.

Youssouf also expressed "profound sadness" on another deadly attack perpetrated on Jan. 18 in the village of Bosiye, in western Niger, which claimed the lives of around 30 innocent civilians.

The AUC chief "condemns in the strongest terms these heinous acts, which form part of the campaign of terror conducted by violent extremist groups deliberately targeting civilian populations and public infrastructure," the statement read.

Commending the "swift and effective" response of the Nigerien security forces, which made it possible to contain the attack on the airport, he expressed the AU's solidarity and compassion with the people and government of Niger.

Youssouf further acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the West African country in the fight against violent extremism and terrorism, particularly through operations conducted by the Nigerien Armed Forces.

"Terrorism and violent extremism constitute a serious threat to peace, stability and territorial integrity of the affected states," he said.

Youssouf reiterated the 55-member bloc's "full readiness" to continue supporting the efforts of the Nigerien authorities in close coordination with regional countries and relevant partners, in order to strengthen the fight against the common threat, protect civilian populations, and safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.

Niger's Defense and Security Forces on Thursday announced that security forces neutralized at least 20 mercenaries and arrested 11 others in response to an attack on Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport.

The attack occurred on the night from Wednesday to Thursday, when a group of mercenaries, on a remotely directed mission, targeted Air Base 101, near the airport, according to Niger's Ministry of National Defense. ■