Niger security forces battle gunmen at airport
Key takeaways
- Niger's security forces engaged in an hours-long shootout with gunmen at the nation's main international airport.
- Authorities say the fighting began with an attack around 6:00 a.m.
- Gunmen are said to have breached airport security at the site — which also headquarters Niger's air force and the Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali joint military force tasked with fighting jihadis.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Niger's security forces engaged in an hours-long shootout with gunmen at the nation's main international airport. No one has taken responsibility but Islamists are suspected of being behind the attack.
https://p.dw.com/p/5Fct RNiger's air force as well as Niger-Burkina Faso-Mali joint forces are based at Niamey's Diori Hamani International Airport [FILE August 8, 2023]Image: Sam Mednick/AP Photo/picture alliance Advertisement Niger's security forces on Thursday morning spent several hours battling unknown gunmen at the country's Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital Niamey.
Authorities say the fighting began with an attack around 6:00 a.m. (0500 GMT) and lasted until mid-morning. Gunfire and explosions were reported throughout.