The city’s Diori Hamani International Airport was attacked by “terrorists” who tried to enter the security fence around the presidency, a source told Reuters.

On his Facebook account, Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of the Bureau of the Consultative Council of Niger, and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said the attackers targeted Base 101, one of the main military bases in Niamey, but the palace had regained control.

Another cowardly attack on Base 101, and once again our defence and security forces ensured the situation was under control, Ibrahim wrote.

Reuters was unable to confirm the security source’s and Ibrahim’s reports at this time.

A second security source said they had started search operations and that the attackers had been “neutralised”, while others escaped.

The second Reuters witness said gunfire was heavy and persistent around the presidential palace.

The first Reuters witness reported gunfire again around Niamey’s international airport around 0213 GMT.

Niger’s military government was not immediately available for comment.

Key uranium producer  

The mineral-rich West African country of Niger, which also has rich uranium, oil, and gold resources, has been under military control since a coup in July 2023 that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum.

The government of General Abdourahamane Tiani has turned markedly away from the western partners since seizing power and strengthened relations with Russia, as well as with the breakaway organisation AES, which Mali and Burkina Faso have joined.

Despite promises of better security by military leaders in all three countries, they are still at war with Islamist insurgencies associated with al Qaeda and Islamic State.

The unrest has been sparked by Niger’s junta’s tight grip on its uranium industry, which it has been able to seize from French company Orano. The government has transferred former Orano and GoviEx uranium permits, a decree said last week.

With its maximum output, Niger was one of the biggest suppliers to Europe, supplying around 15% of Orano’s uranium output until the assets of the company were confiscated by the junta sometime in 2024.

In southwestern Niger, at least 44 civilians were killed in fatal attacks that took place earlier this year, in March and another attack near the international airport of the capital Niamey in January.