A military drone base at the airport in Tahoua, western Niger, was attacked overnight on Sunday, local authorities said.
The army repelled the assault after a firefight that left several soldiers injured and multiple attackers dead.
Residents reported hearing gunfire late at night as the attack unfolded. Eyewitnesses said unidentified assailants arrived on motorcycles and exchanged fire with security forces near the airport and toward the city centre.The drone base, built in 2022, supports operations by Niger’s air force in a region that has frequently faced attacks by jihadist groups.
Despite the broader insecurity in parts of the country, Tahoua, a city of about 100,000 people, has largely been spared from such violence.
The surrounding region is also known for the presence of armed bandits and for smuggling routes used to traffic drugs and other illicit goods.
The incident comes weeks after fighters linked to the Islamic State group targeted Niger’s main airport in the capital, Niamey.Jihadist violence has affected Niger for more than a decade, largely involving groups affiliated with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.
The country has been under military rule since a coup in July 2023.
Authorities have not yet confirmed who was responsible for the latest attack.