Niger airport rocked by explosions, gunfire as security forces respond

Explosions were heard early on June 18 at the airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, followed by a prolonged exchange of gunfire, according to Reuters.

The incident lasted for more than an hour, with the area later cordoned off by security forces. Eyewitnesses said the first explosions occurred around 06:00 local time (03:00 Baku time), while sporadic gunfire continued nearly two hours later.

A security source said the airport was likely under attack. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Earlier, a local Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for an attack on the same airport in January. At the time, the group claimed it had struck the air command headquarters and drone assets, saying it had “delivered a direct blow” to the Sahel country’s counterinsurgency operations.

Like its Sahel neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger has faced persistent difficulties in containing attacks by jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State, which have killed thousands and forced millions to flee across the three countries.

By Jeyhun Aghazada