Heavy gunfire and explosions rocked Niger capital early Saturday as mutinous soldiers attacked the heart of the country.

Troops attacked the airport and presidency in Niamey, briefly knocking state TV and radio off air. By late morning, the defence ministry said forces were retaking control, but security sources said mutineers were still at the airport, cbinews.tv reports.

It is the latest threat to ruler Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup. Tiani vowed to improve security in this uuranium-richSahel nation, but jihadist attacks have persisted.

State TV later said mutinous soldiers from a base in Niamey opened fire on sensitive sites, but the disturbance was contained.

A witness reported pre-dawn gunfire at the airport. As of 0900 GMT, the palace was secured by loyalists b, but the airport area was still contested.

The unrest comes amid growing frustration in frontline units. Troops from Ouallam, Tera and Dosso who have taken heavy losses fighting Islamic State affiliates joined the assault, according to security sources.

Niger is a major uranium, oil and gold producer ruled by the military since ousting President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

Like neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali, it has failed to curb insurgencies linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. In June, al Qaeda affiliates attacked the same airport, five months after Islamic State Sahel Province did.

Since the coup, Tiani has pivoted from Western partners toward Russia and quit ECOWAS to form the AES bloc with Mali and Burkina Faso.

Last week g, theovernment reallocated uranium permits formerly held by FrFrance'srano to state backed firms. Niger had supplied about 15 percent of Orano uranium, a key fuel source for Europe.

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