Niamey, Niger (Running Africa) — Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger’s capital, Niamey, early Thursday morning, raising fresh concerns about security in the West African nation.

According to local witnesses, the incident began around 6:00 a.m. local time on June 18 and continued for nearly two hours in areas surrounding the airport entrance. Residents reported hearing multiple explosions followed by exchanges of gunfire as security forces responded to the attack.

Witnesses said Nigerien soldiers eventually repelled the assailants, who reportedly fled the scene and abandoned weapons during their retreat. Authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the incident or confirmed whether there were any casualties.

The latest attack comes as Niger continues to battle a decade-long Islamist insurgency that has destabilized large parts of the country and the wider Sahel region. Diori Hamani International Airport was previously targeted in January in an attack attributed to suspected jihadist militants. An affiliate of the Islamic State later claimed responsibility for that operation.

In response to persistent security threats, Niger’s military-led government has significantly strengthened security around the country’s main international airport. Measures have included the demolition of nearby settlements, expansion of the airport’s security perimeter, and the installation of hundreds of surveillance cameras.

The incident underscores the continuing security challenges facing Niger as authorities seek to contain armed groups operating across the Sahel, one of the world’s most volatile conflict zones.