Gunfire, explosions rock Niamey airport in Niger Republic (Video)

Heavy gunshots and loud explosions were heard late on Wednesday night around the Niamey International Airport in Niger Republic.

The sho0ting began shortly after midnight, according to residents of a neighborhood near the airport.

Local sources said the airport area was the scene of violence, with heavy detonations and sustained gunfire reported in the vicinity.

Calm has since returned to the area, but the identity of the attackers remains unknown, they told AFP.

“No official casualty figure has been released as of the time of filing this report,” a source said.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the gunfire and whether there were any casualties.

The sound of sirens from fire trucks heading towards the airport could also be heard in the early hours of the morning, residents said.

Security agencies in Niger have yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, while investigations are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack.

The airport also serves as the headquarters of a joint military force formed by Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to fight extremist groups operating across the Sahel.

Niger has faced repeated security challenges linked to extremist attacks, and has been under military rule since General Abdourahamane Tiani led a coup that ousted the elected civilian government in 2023.

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