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Heavy Security At Niger Airport After Explosions and Gunfire

Heavy security has been deployed around the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey after a suspected militia attack on Thursday involving drones and heavy artillery. The airport, about 10km from the presidential palace, houses an air force base and the headquarters for the joint force created by Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali. All three nations are members of the recently formed Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The country's military junta - which seized power in July 2023 after overthrowing President Mohamed Bazoum - has remained tight-lipped about the incident. Local residents, however, reported seeing streaks of light in the night sky followed by loud explosions and flames rising several meters high. 

Adamaou Fodi Salahadine/Wikimedia Commons

Niamey, the capital of Niger.

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