Gunfire erupts at Niger military base
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Otaria Benjamin- 0
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Gunfire was also reported near Niger’s state broadcaster, RTN, in the capital Niamey. / Reuters
Gunfire and explosions were heard on Saturday morning in Niger’s capital, Niamey, including around a military base near the airport of the city, which has been attacked twice this year by suspected terrorists.
The origins of the shooting were not immediately clear, and authorities made no official comment.
A local resident told journalists that heavy gunfire and explosions were reported at Base 101 in Niamey, a report confirmed by several other witnesses. The first shots were heard at about 1:00 am local time (0000 GMT) and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming the area around the airport. Another resident in western Niamey said he heard sporadic small-arms fire at about 5:00 am.
Several social media posts also reported shooting and explosions in the city, particularly in the administrative area where the presidential palace and national television station are located.
Videos online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood near the airport. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, houses the headquarters of Niamey’s Russian Africa Corps partners, as well as the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a confederation of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali.
The airport has been targeted twice this year. In January, 20 assailants were killed and four soldiers wounded in an attack by terrorists linked to Daesh. In June, at least 11 soldiers and two civilians were killed, as well as 22 attackers, according to the defence ministry, in an assault claimed by an Al-Qaeda affiliate. Both attacks were repelled by the army.
Between December and January, the airport handled a shipment of uranium concentrate that was held up pending export. Niger is one of the world’s leading uranium producers. No movement of the shipment has been reported since.
The terrorists are also active in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, both allies of Niger.
SOURCE: AFP
