Niger: Armed attack targets Niamey airport and military base near the presidential palace

National television broadcasts in Niger were suspended on Saturday morning, as gunfire continued overnight in several neighborhoods of the capital, Niamey, according to residents who told Agence France-Presse.

A black screen replaced programs on "Television du Sahel" at 9:00 a.m. (8:00 a.m. GMT), both via satellite and online, while residents in the capital confirmed that soldiers were blocking roads leading to the presidential palace and the national television station on Saturday morning.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Niamey witnessed intense gunfire and explosions around the international airport and near the presidential palace. Witnesses reported that the sound of gunfire persisted in several areas of the city, although the nature of the events and the responsible party remained unclear at first.

News

Politics News

Witnesses told Reuters they heard continuous gunfire and explosions in various parts of Niamey. One witness said the gunfire was concentrated around Diori Hamani International Airport and near the presidential palace.

The second witness described a "heavy exchange of fire" in the capital, adding that the sound of gunfire continued around the presidential palace.

Meanwhile, Agence France-Presse quoted residents in Niamey as saying they heard gunfire and explosions near a military base inside the international airport.

One resident told the agency there was "intense gunfire and explosions at Base 101 in Niamey," while other witnesses confirmed hearing the same sounds.

It remains unclear whether the events around the airport and the presidential palace are linked to a single operation. Nigerien authorities have not yet released any casualty figures or details regarding the nature of the attack.