Gunmen attacked a Nigerien air force base in the capital, Niamey, with loud explosions and heavy gunfire heard, state television reported late Thursday, quoted by the Associated Press.
The attack was carried out against the base, located on the territory of the "Diori Hamani" international airport, but was repelled by Nigerien security forces, Nigerien state television reported. This is another episode of violence in the conflict-ridden country.
The attack wounded four soldiers, while 20 of the attackers were killed and 11 others were arrested after a rapid response by air and ground forces by Nigerien forces, state television reported. Video footage purportedly from the scene of the incident shows loud explosions and a sky lit up by the explosions.
According to Ulf Lessing, head of the Sahel program at the German Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the attackers were likely trying to destroy drones stationed at the air base. Local media reports suggest that Niger has recently acquired several Turkish drones to step up its fight against jihadist fighters. "Drones have become a decisive factor for both sides - the army and the jihadists - so the attackers wanted to destroy the last Turkish supplies," Lessing said.
West African airline "Air Côte d'Ivoire" reported that one of its planes parked on the runway at Niamey airport was hit during the attack, causing damage to the fuselage and right wing.
Niger has struggled to contain deadly jihadist violence that has gripped parts of Africa's Sahel region, where neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali, like Niger, are ruled by military juntas. Experts say the country has seen a surge in attacks by armed groups in various regions under the military junta.