world 18 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Chaos Erupts at Niger's Airport with Explosions and Gunfire
Witnesses reported hearing multiple explosions and sustained gunfire near the airport in Niger's capital, Niamey, early Thursday morning, with security forces cordoning off the area. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/explosions-sustained-gunfire-at-airport-in-niger-capital-witnesses-say-5500480
Niamey, Niger – Early Thursday morning, the capital city of Niger was jolted by the sounds of explosions and intense gunfire originating from the vicinity of the airport. The disturbances, which began around 6 a.m. local time, continued sporadically for over an hour, according to eyewitness accounts.
A Reuters witness and two local residents described the unsettling scene, noting that security forces quickly moved to block off access to the airport premises.
A security source indicated that the situation appeared to be an active attack on the airport. Efforts to reach a Niger government spokesperson for immediate comment were unsuccessful.
While official details remain scarce, this incident echoes a previous attack on the airport in January, for which an Islamic State affiliate later claimed responsibility.
Niger, along with its Sahelian neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, has been grappling with a persistent threat from jihadist groups affiliated with both al Qaeda and the Islamic State. These extremist organizations have been responsible for a significant number of fatalities and a massive displacement of populations across the region.