Gunfire and Blasts Reported at Niamey Airport
Reports indicate that gunfire and loud blasts occurred at the main airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger, shortly after midnight. A witness reported hearing explosions at that time.
The airport is located adjacent to Base AĂ©rienne 101, a military facility previously utilized by American and later Russian troops.
Aircraft Damaged, Staff Stranded
A source from the Togolese airline Asky stated that gunshots caused multiple holes in the fuselages of two of its planes on the airport tarmac. Asky staff were reportedly stranded in the country at the time of the incident. Air Côte d’Ivoire also confirmed that one of its aircraft was struck.
A source from the Togolese airline Asky stated that gunshots caused multiple holes in the fuselages of two of its planes on the airport tarmac.
The identities of those responsible for the shots remain unclear, and there have been no reports of casualties. Nigerien authorities have not yet commented on the situation.
Political Landscape and Regional Shifts
This incident takes place in the context of political changes in Niger. In July 2023, the presidential guard, led by Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, overthrew the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. This event was the seventh successful coup in West and Central Africa within three years.
Following the coup, the junta suspended the constitution and faced international condemnation and reductions in aid. Niger subsequently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) alongside Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are also under military rule, to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) in September 2023. Niger also requested the departure of French and U.S. military forces.
Deteriorating Security and Terrorism Threat
The country continues to address challenges from armed groups, with factions linked to Islamic State and al-Qaida affiliates conducting attacks, particularly in the tri-border region with Mali and Burkina Faso. The security situation has been reported to have deteriorated since the 2023 coup.
The Global Terrorism Index 2025 indicated that Niger recorded the largest global increase in terrorism-related fatalities in 2024, with deaths rising by 94% to a total of 930.