35 Killed in Gun Attack at Niger's Largest Airport

Thirty-five people were killed Thursday when gunmen attacked Niger's largest airport, officials say. It is the second assault on the facility in less than five months.

Residents near Diori Hamani International Airport in the capital, Niamey, reported hearing explosions and gunfire shortly after morning prayers.

Niger's defense ministry confirmed the casualties included 22 attackers, 11 soldiers, and two civilians. The Al-Qaeda-affiliated group Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) claimed responsibility for the assault late Thursday.

Niger has battled an Islamist insurgency for a decade. In January, an Islamic State-linked group claimed a similar attack on the same airport, which also houses a military base.

The violence subsided by mid-morning, and security forces have since launched a manhunt for any remaining attackers.

Local resident Lawalli Tsalha told the BBC the attack began just before 6:00 a.m. local time: "We heard a loud bang like a tyre exploding. It was only a little later that we realised what was happening."