Gunfire erupts near airport in Niger’s capital, heightening tensions.

On Thursday morning, gunfire erupted at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport, creating chaos in the capital of Niger. The first shots were reported at 6:00 a.m. and continued for two hours, originating from the airport’s entrance.

In January, the same airport was the target of a large-scale attack claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS). Nigerien forces, supported by Russian fighters, repelled the assault. Prior to that incident, jihadist activity in Niger had been limited to other regions of the country.

Following the January attack, authorities demolished thousands of illegally constructed homes in a sprawling neighbourhood near the airport, citing concerns that the area had been infiltrated by jihadists who facilitated the attack.

Niger, located in West Africa’s Sahel region, has spent the past decade confronting violence from armed groups affiliated with Al‑Qaeda and the Islamic State.