NIAMEY, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The situation remained unclear in Niamey, the capital of Niger, after heavy gunfire and explosions were heard at around 1:00 a.m. local time (0000 GMT) Saturday in several parts of the city, including the area around Diori Hamani International Airport and the presidential palace, according to witnesses cited by Xinhua.
The airport area also houses Air Base 101 of the Nigerien Air Force and the headquarters of the Unified Force of the Confederation of Sahel States.
National television broadcaster Tele Sahel suspended its programs Saturday morning. Its broadcasts were no longer accessible, while the national radio service was also off the air, according to residents in Niamey.
Foreign media reported that security forces had been deployed around several sites in the capital, particularly in the areas surrounding the airport and presidential palace. Security sources also reported an attack targeting the airport area and operations by Nigerien forces to secure the site.
Nigerien lawmaker Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of the Parliament of the Confederation of Sahel States, said on social media that Air Base 101 had been targeted and that security forces had regained control of the situation.
As of now, Nigerien authorities have not released any figures on possible casualties or provided detailed information about the events.
Diori Hamani International Airport and nearby military facilities have already been targeted twice this year. The first attack took place in January, followed by another in late June. Both attacks were repelled by Niger's Defense and Security Forces, which said they had neutralized several attackers. ■