Niger’s military council announced on Saturday that it had restored control over the situation in the country.
In a statement signed by Defense Minister General Salifou Mody and broadcast on state television, the authorities urged residents to “remain calm and continue their activities freely.”
اضافة اعلان
Agence France-Presse reported Saturday that Niger’s Republican Guard repelled an attack by “rebels from within the armed forces” who attempted to enter the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, where gunfire continued to be heard since overnight.
Heavy gunfire was heard throughout the night in several neighborhoods of Niamey, particularly in the city center, around the presidential palace, and near the airport, which houses a major military base.
Earlier, the Nigerien government said security forces had been deployed in response to what two Reuters witnesses described as “an attack in the capital targeting the airport and the presidential compound.”
The government statement called on residents to remain calm.
National television broadcasting was interrupted for more than an hour Saturday morning before resuming at around 10:00 a.m. local time (9:00 a.m. GMT).
This is the third time this year that Niamey—particularly the complex housing the international airport and a military air base—has experienced major unrest.
A security source told Reuters that “terrorists” attacked Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the security cordon surrounding the presidential compound.
Meanwhile, a Reuters witness reported hearing heavy gunfire in the area near the presidential palace.
