An assault by armed men on an airport in Niger's capital Niamey has killed 11 soldiers and two civilians, according to the country's defence ministry. Twenty-two attackers were also killed and about 20 suspects apprehended, the ministry said in a statement read on national television Thursday.

The attack began around 6:00 am local time at Diori Hamani International Airport. An airport employee living nearby reported hearing heavy gunfire and seeing a large military deployment, forcing him to turn back. Another local source reported intense artillery fire.

According to AFP, the gunmen arrived by taxi at a security checkpoint near the airport and encountered fierce resistance from security forces. The exchange of fire lasted for hours.

The defence ministry stated that a large-scale army operation is underway and the airport remains open to air traffic. By noon, the situation was mostly calm with only sporadic gunfire linked to sweeping operations.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which left four wounded according to a preliminary toll. The airport and military airbase are located in the same complex.

In January, an ISIL affiliate claimed responsibility for an attack on the same complex, saying it targeted air command headquarters and drone assets. Twenty fighters were killed and four soldiers wounded in that assault.

In recent weeks, authorities began demolishing thousands of illegally built homes near the airport, citing counter-terrorism efforts. The airport perimeter has been extended and over 350 security cameras installed.

Niamey's airport is one of the country's most strategic military sites, hosting the G5 Sahel counter-terrorism force, Russian forces, and a drone unit. Uranium stocks that Niger seeks to sell are also stored there, posing potential environmental risks if struck.

Source: www.aljazeera.com