Updated with further details
unexpected violence erupts near Niamey airport
Intense explosions and sustained gunfire erupted in the early hours of Thursday near Niger’s Niamey International Airport, according to a Reuters correspondent on the ground.
The gunfire, which began nearly an hour earlier, was still audible at 00:12 GMT, the journalist reported.
A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) captured the night sky over the capital illuminated by muzzle flashes. However, Reuters could not independently verify the footage.
military government silent amid ongoing clashes
A spokesperson for Niger’s military government—installed in 2023 following a coup—could not be reached for immediate comment despite multiple attempts.
regional threat of jihadist insurgency
Like its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger continues to face a severe security challenge from armed insurgencies linked to Al Qaïda and the Islamic State.
