Updated with additional details
Early on Thursday, intense gunfire and multiple explosions were reported near the Niamey international airport in Niger’s capital city. This account comes from a Reuters journalist on the ground.
The gunfire, which began almost an hour earlier, was still ongoing at 00:12 GMT, according to the same source. A video shared on the social media platform X showed the night sky over the capital illuminated by flashes of gunfire. However, Reuters has not yet been able to independently verify the footage.
A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which assumed power in 2023 following a coup, could not be reached immediately for comment.
The security situation in Niger remains fragile, mirroring challenges faced by neighboring countries such as Mali and Burkina Faso, where armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State continue to carry out insurgency operations.
