Gunfire and blasts heard at airport in Niger with planes hit reports

"Gunfire and loud blasts have been heard at the main airport in the Nigerien capital of Niamey, according to the Reuters news agency and an independent source. A witness told Reuters they heard explosions just after midnight. The airport is next to Base Aerienne 101, a military base previously used by American and then Russian troops. A source with the Togolese airline Asky told the Guardian that gunshots made several holes in the fuselage of its two planes on the tarmac of Niamey airport."

"Staff were at their hotel at the time but remained stranded in the country. They destroyed both aircraft they left evidence at the scene, the source said. It remains unclear who fired the shots or whether there were any casualties. Authorities in Niger have yet to comment on the situation. In July 2023, Niger's presidential guard, led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani, overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, marking the seventh successful coup in west and central Africa in three years at that point."

Gunfire and loud blasts erupted at Niamey main airport after midnight, with witnesses reporting explosions near Base Aerienne 101. A Togolese airline, Asky, said gunshots punctured the fuselages of two planes on the tarmac; staff were stranded at their hotel and the airline said they destroyed both aircraft and left evidence at the scene. Authorities have not commented and casualty figures remain unclear. Since July 2023 a military junta led by Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani seized power, provoking sanctions, withdrawal from ECOWAS, expulsion of French and US forces, and alignment with Mali and Burkina Faso. Jihadist violence and terrorism have worsened.

Read at www.theguardian.com