Shots were heard around the city’s Diori Hamani international airport and near the presidential palace.

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Sustained gunfire and explosions rang out across several areas of Niger’s capital, Niamey, early on Saturday, according to two Reuters witnesses, with the cause not immediately clear.

A security source told Reuters that “terrorists” had attacked the city’s Diori Hamani International Airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidency.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy ⁠in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted Base 101, a major military installation in Niamey, but that security forces had regained control.

“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured… Situation under control,” Ibrahim wrote.

Reuters could not immediately verify the claims made by the security source and Ibrahim.

A second security source told Reuters that security forces had launched search operations and that the attackers had been “neutralised”, with others fleeing.

The second witness said the gunfire had been heavy and persistent around the presidential palace.

Gunfire resumed around Niamey’s international airport at around 02:13 GMT, according to the first ‌witness.

Niger, a mineral-rich West African nation with significant uranium, oil and gold resources, has been ruled by the military since a July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

Since seizing power, General Abdourahamane Tiani’s junta has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in AES, a ⁠breakaway from the regional ECOWAS bloc.