Gunfire Reported Near Airport in Niger’s Capital, Niamey

Residents have reported that gunfire broke out early Thursday near the airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey.

According to reports, the shooting started around 6:00am local time near the entrance of the airport and continued for about two hours. Witnesses said they heard repeated gunshots coming from the area.

The incident comes months after a major militant attack on the same facility in January. The attack was claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel and was repelled by Nigerien security forces and allied Russian fighters.

Following the January attack, authorities demolished thousands of illegally built homes in a large neighbourhood close to the airport, saying the area had been infiltrated by militants involved in the assault.

Niger, located in West Africa’s Sahel region, has faced years of attacks from armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Authorities have not yet provided details about the latest shooting.

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