Attackers target Niger's Niamey airport and presidency perimeter

Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard across several areas of Niger's capital, Niamey, early on Saturday. According to witnesses, the attacks targeted the city's international airport, Diori Hamani International Airport, and the security perimeter around the presidency.

The attackers also targeted Base 101, a major military installation near the airport, according to Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger's Consultative Council. He later stated that Nigerien defence and security forces had regained control and that the situation was under control.

A security source described the attackers as "terrorists" and told Reuters that they had struck the airport before trying to penetrate the area surrounding the presidency. Some attackers were reportedly "neutralized" while others fled, according to a second security source. There was no immediate statement from Niger's military government.

Brief written by urgent.news from RFI English, Gulf News, Ajel English — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.