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Air Defence Fires at Unidentified Projectiles Near Niamey Airport
Air defence systems engaged unknown projectiles near Niamey airport, with calm returning after two hours; authorities probe possible link to stuck uranium shipment amid regional security tensions.
- On Thursday, sustained heavy gunfire and loud explosions were heard near Diori Hamani International Airport shortly after midnight; the airport houses an air force base about 10km from the presidential palace.
- With the cause unclear, authorities said it is not clear what caused the blasts or if there were casualties, and they are trying to determine whether the gunfire was linked to a huge uranium shipment stuck amid complications with France.
- Multiple eyewitness videos showed air-defence systems engaging unidentified projectiles early Thursday, and a Foreign Affairs ministry official said, `There is no need to worry,` while authorities investigate links to the shipment.
- Calm returned after two hours, and an official said the situation was under control following the overnight gunfire near Niamey International Airport.
- The incident came against a backdrop of Niger's military government fighting jihadist groups like Burkina Faso and Mali, while a major uranium shipment remains stuck amid legal disputes with France.
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14 Articles
14 Articles
Al ArabiyaReposted by 
Gulf News
Gulf NewsA burst of heavy gunfire and explosions erupted early Thursday near the international airport in Niger’s capital Niamey before halting within hours,
·Saudi Arabia
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The Straits Times+2 Reposted by 2 other sources
Sustained gunfire, loud blasts heard in Niger's capital
NIAMEY, Jan 29 - Sustained gunfire and loud blasts were heard early on Thursday near Niamey International Airport in Niger, according to a Reuters witness. Read more at straitstimes.com.
·Singapore
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Total News Sources14
Leaning Left1Leaning Right6Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Right
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
60% Right
C 30%
R 60%
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