Security Sahel: gunfire and blasts rock Niamey, Niger

Intense gunfire and multiple explosions were reported in the early hours of Thursday near Niamey’s international airport, according to a Reuters journalist.

The exchange of fire, which began nearly an hour prior, persisted until at least 00:12 GMT, the journalist confirmed.

A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) captured the night sky over the capital, illuminated by muzzle flashes. However, Reuters could not independently verify the footage.

A spokesperson for Niger’s military government, which seized power in 2023, was unreachable for immediate comment when contacted.

The unfolding incident underscores the persistent security Sahel challenges facing Niger, a country grappling with a prolonged insurgency led by extremist factions tied to Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. Similar threats have destabilized neighboring nations like Mali and Burkina Faso, contributing to the broader regional instability.