Gunfire, Explosions Rock Niger Airport Near Capital

Government-critical narrative

It remains unclear what triggered the heavy gunfire at Niger’s international airport, but violence at a key civilian hub underscores how fragile security remains despite the AES’s militarized turn. At least 27 Nigerien soldiers have been killed in recent attacks since the alliance’s launch, suggesting escalation alone has failed to contain armed groups. As the AES pivots toward Russia while ECOWAS aligns with the United States, the Sahel risks sliding into a Cold War-style battleground, deepening instability and enabling militant expansion.