Sustained gunfire and loud explosions were heard early Thursday near Niamey International Airport in Niger, heightening concerns over security in the Sahel nation, according to witnesses in the capital.
The heavy gunfire, which began nearly an hour earlier, was still ongoing as of 0012 GMT. No official explanation was immediately available, as a spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which seized power in a coup in July 2023, could not be reached for comment.
Niger, like its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, has struggled to contain persistent attacks by jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. The violence has killed thousands and displaced millions across the three countries, placing severe strain on security forces and civilian populations alike.
The sounds of fighting near a key national infrastructure site such as the international airport are likely to deepen public anxiety and raise fresh questions about the military government’s ability to stabilize the country amid ongoing insurgency threats.
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