Armed attack targets Niamey airport, presidential palace in Niger

(SANA) – Armed groups attacked Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidential palace, as gunfire and explosions were heard across several parts of the city.

Reuters quoted a security source as saying Saturday that “terrorists attacked the airport and attempted to breach the security perimeter around the presidential headquarters,” while a witness reported hearing sustained heavy gunfire near the presidential palace.

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Bana Wajana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Advisory Council bureau and a lawmaker in the Confederation of Sahel States Parliament, said in a Facebook post that the assailants targeted Air Base 101, a key military facility in Niamey, adding that security forces had regained control of the base.

Ibrahim added that security forces subsequently conducted search operations in the area, neutralizing several attackers while others fled.

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The developments come amid continuing insecurity in Niger, which has witnessed several deadly attacks this year, including one near Niamey International Airport in January.

Fifteen police officers were killed on Aug. 22 when gunmen attacked a police station in the town of Tessa, in the southwestern Dosso region near the borders with Nigeria and Benin. The assault came about a month after 16 soldiers were killed and 23 others wounded in an armed attack in western Niger near Mali and Burkina Faso.

N.J/MZN

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