Explosions echoed followed by the sounds of heavy gunfire that lasted for over an hour in the vicinity of the airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, early Thursday morning, prompting security forces to seal off the area and impose tight security measures.
اضافة اعلان
Reuters quoted an eyewitness and two local residents saying that the explosions and gunfire were clearly heard around the airport, while the nature of the incident or the entity responsible for it remained immediately unclear. Meanwhile, Nigerien authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The incident comes at a time when Niger is facing escalating security challenges, particularly following the military coup witnessed by the country in July 2023, which led to strained relations with Western powers and a realignment of security partnerships in the country. Armed groups linked to ISIS and Al-Qaeda are also active across vast areas of Niger and the Sahel region, making vital facilities, including airports and military bases, potential targets for attacks.
The Niamey airport is considered one of the most important strategic facilities in the country, given its role in civil and military transport, as well as its connection to security and counter-terrorism operations in the African Sahel region.
