Gunfire Erupts Near Niamey Airport in Niger Republic

On Thursday morning, gunfire was reported near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger Republic, starting around 6:00 AM local time (0500 GMT). Residents confirmed that the shooting originated from the airport entrance and continued for about two hours.

This incident follows a major jihadist attack in January that targeted the airport and was claimed by the Islamic State Sahel. The Nigerien Armed Forces, alongside Russian fighters, have been involved in repelling such attacks, which have become increasingly common in the Sahel region of West Africa.

The violence is part of a broader struggle against armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, which have been active in Niger for over a decade. Following previous attacks, authorities have also been involved in demolishing illegally built homes in neighborhoods near the airport to combat jihadist infiltration.