Attackers Strike Niamey's Airport and the Perimeter of Niger's Presidency

Sustained gunfire and explosions were reported across several areas of Niamey early on Saturday, Deutsche Welle reported. Russia's Kommersant said unidentified attackers struck Diori Hamani International Airport and tried to break through the security perimeter around the presidential residence, citing Reuters.

A security source told Reuters that armed groups carried out the attack, and a member of Niger's consultative council said Base 101, a large military installation in the capital, was also targeted, Al Jazeera reported. Shooting resumed near the airport at about 02:13 GMT. Security forces later regained control, according to reports cited by both outlets. No group had claimed responsibility at the time of writing, and the government had not issued a full account.

Niger has been governed by the military since the July 2023 coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tiani's administration has reduced its cooperation with Western governments, deepened its relationship with Russia, and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the Alliance of Sahel States, which left the Economic Community of West African States. All three governments continue to face armed groups they have been unable to contain. A previous assault near the same airport took place in January, after which the authorities accused France, Benin and Ivory Coast of supporting the attackers, allegations those governments rejected.