Mutinous soldiers in Niger attacked the airport and the presidency in the capital, Niamey, early on Saturday, triggering hours of sustained gunfire and explosions and briefly knocking state television and radio off air.
\n\nBy late morning, Niger’s defense ministry said the armed forces were progressively retaking control of sites targeted in the overnight attack, but security sources said mutineers were still present at the airport and the overall situation remained unclear.
\n\nThe attack marked the latest threat to the rule of Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup. Tiani had pledged to improve security in the Sahel nation, a major uranium producer, but jihadist attacks have persisted.
\n\nState television, after resuming broadcasts, aired a message saying mutinous soldiers from a base in Niamey had opened fire on “sensitive sites” in the city.
\n\nSecurity forces had reacted quickly and “contained this disturbance”, it said.
\n\nA Reuters witness reported gunfire at the airport and heavy explosions in the pre-dawn hours.
\n\nAs of 0900 GMT, the presidential palace appeared to have been secured by loyalist troops but the area around the airport was still contested, two security sources and a diplomat said.
\n\nTwo sources said that loyalist troops had been dispatched…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business
