Sustained gunfire and heavy explosions erupted across multiple areas of Niger’s capital early Saturday morning as security forces fought off coordinated attacks targeting the city’s international airport, a major military base, and the presidential palace perimeter.
Initial reports from residents described heavy and persistent firing beginning in the early hours of the morning, with gunfire resuming near Diori Hamani International Airport at approximately 02:13 GMT.
A senior security source characterized the assailants as “terrorists” who attempted to breach the security perimeter surrounding the presidency and launched an assault on the nearby airport infrastructure.
Concurrently, attackers targeted Base 101, a key military installation in Niamey. Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) parliament, stated on social media that defense forces had successfully neutralized the threat.
”Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured… Situation under control,” Ibrahim posted on Facebook.
Security sources confirmed that counter-operations were launched immediately following the initial breaches. A second security official stated that several attackers were “neutralized” while remaining suspects fled the area, prompting active sweep and search operations across the capital.
The assault marks a significant escalation in tension for the mineral-rich West African nation, which has been governed by a military junta since the July 2023 coup that ousted democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum.
Under the leadership of General Abdourahamane Tchiani, Niger’s military government has overhauled its national security strategy—severing long-standing defense partnerships with Western allies, expanding military cooperation with Russia, and forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) alongside neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso following their collective withdrawal from the regional ECOWAS bloc.
