Niamey Airport Attack: Niger says 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed in the June 18 assault on Diori Hamani International Airport, with 22 attackers reported dead and about 20 suspects arrested; the airport stayed open after security forces repelled the raid. Sahel Solidarity: The Confederation of Sahel States (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger) backed Niamey, saying the attack was meant to weaken Niger’s forces but only strengthened unity against militants. International Condemnation: Russia condemned the attack and blamed France, while Libya and other regional voices also expressed solidarity with Niger’s government. Security Pressure in the Sahel: Separate reporting highlights how Sahel forests are being treated as “off-limits” zones to deny jihadists bases, including Mali’s move to clear vegetation around key forest areas. Niger’s Rights Crackdown: Niger’s new Penal Code criminalises same-sex intimacy for the first time, with reports of a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ people already underway. Regional Diplomacy: Niger and Benin are pushing to normalise relations and reopen their border after talks in Cotonou. Energy & Investment: Niger is set to receive IsDB financing for a 100-megawatt power project, while the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline is reported to be resuming as Algeria-Niger ties improve.