Explosions and sustained gunfire that lasted more than an hour were heard early Thursday morning at the airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger , and security forces had blocked off the area, a Reuters witness and two residents said.
The first explosions occurred at around 6am local time (0500 GMT) and sporadic gunfire was still audible nearly two hours later, the Reuters witness said.
A security source said it appeared the airport was under attack.
A Niger government spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Islamic State (IS) group affiliate in the region claimed responsibility for an attack on the airport in January . It was not immediately clear who was responsible for Thursday's attack.
Watch more Who attacked Niamey’s airport and what does it reveal?
Following the attack, thousands of illegally built homes were torn down in a sprawling neighbourhood near the airport.
Authorities said the district had been infiltrated by jihadists to carry out the attack.
Niger, like its Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso , has struggled to contain attacks from jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda and the IS group that have killed thousands and displaced millions in the three countries.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and Reuters)
Read the full article at France 24 (English) →📄Source document: Reuters witness
3 reports
France 24 (English)State / PublicCenter3 days agoExplosions and gunfire were reported at Niamey's airport in Niger early Thursday, according to witnesses and residents. Security forces cordoned off the area, and a security source indicated the airport was under attack. The Islamic State (IS) group claimed responsibility for a similar attack in January, but no group has taken credit for this incident yet. Following the attack, authorities demolished thousands of illegal homes in a neighborhood near the airport, claiming the area had been infiltrated by jihadists. Niger continues to face challenges from jihadist groups linked to al Qaeda andIS
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an event without taking a stance on the political implications or assigning blame. It provides factual details about the incident, including witness accounts, security responses, and historical context regarding jihadist activity in the region. There is no evident framing that
Official sources cited
- other Reuters witness
- other Residents
- government Security source
- organisation Islamic State (IS) group affiliate
MediapartIndependent🔒Center3 days agoGunshots were heard at Niamey airport in Niger.
Bias read (Center): The subject is not inherently politically charged. The article reports on an event (gunshots at an airport) without taking a stance or providing context that would indicate a political leaning.
Le MondeIndependent🔒Center7 days agoIn Nigeria, jihadists from the group Lakurawa carried out an attack on the community of Fesken Rafi in the Arewa district of Kebbi State, near the border with Niger, according to a UN report.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on an attack by a jihadist group without taking a stance or using biased language. It provides factual information based on a UN report and does not exhibit any clear ideological framing.
Official sources cited
- organisation United Nations Report
France