Intense gunfire and multiple explosions rocked the vicinity of Niamey International Airport in the early hours of Thursday, as reported by a Reuters correspondent on the ground.
A sustained barrage of gunfire, which began nearly an hour prior, persisted until at least 00:12 GMT, according to the journalist’s live updates.
A video circulating on the social media platform X captured the stark visual of the capital’s skies lit up by gunfire. However, Reuters has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the footage.
Efforts to obtain a statement from a spokesperson for Niger’s military-led government, which assumed power following a 2023 coup d’état, were unsuccessful as the official could not be reached for comment.
Niger continues to grapple with a severe security crisis, exacerbated by an ongoing insurgency waged by armed jihadist factions affiliated with both Al Qaïda and the Islamic State. This threat mirrors the challenges faced by neighboring nations such as Mali and Burkina Faso, all of which are contending with similar destabilizing forces.
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