Conflict & Security
Niamey airport base gunfire heard, witnesses say
Gunfire and explosions were heard overnight near Base 101 at the international airport in Niger's capital Niamey, residents told AFP on Saturday. The origin of the gunfire remained unknown, and no official communication had been issued.
One local resident said there was heavy gunfire and explosions at the base, an account AFP said was confirmed by several other witnesses. Several social media posts also reported shooting and explosions in the city, including in the administrative area where the presidential palace and national television station are located. Online videos showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport.
Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadist groups. The Islamic State in the Sahel attacked it in January, and the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda, attacked it in late June.
Authorities said 20 assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in the January assault. Niger's defence ministry said at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed in June, along with 22 attackers. Both attacks were repelled by the army.
Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, who took power after a July 2023 coup. The junta has struggled to contain jihadist violence in the country.
Update
Several social media posts reported shooting and explosions in Niamey, including in the administrative area where the presidential palace and national television station are located.
Online videos showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport.
The origin of the gunfire remained unknown and no official communication had been issued.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 04:19:44 UTC.
Update
Niamey airport was targeted twice earlier this year by jihadist groups.
The Islamic State in the Sahel attacked the airport in January, and JNIM attacked it in late June, according to the supplied account.
Authorities said 20 assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in the January assault.
Niger's defence ministry said at least 11 soldiers, two civilians and 22 attackers were killed in the June attack.
Niger's military leader Abdourahamane Tiani said after the January attack that a flaw in the system had enabled it.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 03:36:55 UTC.
Update
Witnesses reported gunfire and explosions at Base 101 in Niamey.
AFP said several other witnesses confirmed the resident's account.
The military base at Niamey's international airport had been attacked twice this year by jihadists.
Source note: AFP news report published on 29 August 2026 at 03:10:11 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Who was involved in the overnight gunfire was not known.
No official details were provided on casualties, damage or whether airport operations were affected.
Source
AFP news report published on .