By 
A burst of heavy gunfire and explosions broke out early Thursday near Niger’s main international airport in the capital, Niamey, before subsiding within hours, according to Africanews.
Videos filmed by local residents showed streaks of light across the sky accompanied by loud explosions, while other footage depicted flames several metres high and burned-out vehicles near the site.
Diori Hamani International Airport, located about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the presidential palace, also hosts an air force base.
Residents living near the airport said the shooting began shortly after midnight and calm returned roughly two hours later.
The cause of the gunfire was not immediately known, and there were no confirmed reports of casualties.
Residents also reported hearing sirens as fire engines headed towards the airport in the early hours of the morning.
The airport also serves as headquarters of a joint force formed by Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali to combat jihadist groups operating across the Sahel region.
Since seizing power, Niger’s military authorities have expelled French and US forces that were previously assisting in counterterrorism operations.
Together with its neighbours, also governed by military juntas, Niger has formed the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and announced plans for a 5,000-strong joint military force.
According to conflict monitoring group ACLED, jihadist violence claimed nearly 2,000 lives in Niger in 2025.
Separately, a large uranium shipment with an undisclosed buyer, which departed from northern Niger in late November, has remained stranded at the airport for several weeks.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments