Clashes rock Niger capital, junta says back in control

Niger's ruling junta said Saturday it "gradually took back control" after mutinying soldiers attacked key sites around the capital including the presidential palace, after the city was rocked by hours of heavy gunfire.

Niger's ruling junta says it has regained control after mutinying soldiers attacked key sites in Niamey, including the presidential palace, amid heavy gunfire.

Niger's ​defense ​ministry said the armed forces were ​progressively ‌retaking ⁠control ‌of sites targeted in ⁠an overnight attack on ​the ‌capital Niamey, according to a ‌statement read ​on state television, which resumed broadcasting ​on ​Saturday after ​temporarily going ​offline.

Niger’s national television was off air on Saturday after a night of heavy gunfire in parts of the capital, including around a military base near the city’s airport which has been attacked twice this year by jihadists. Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta that has struggled to contain jihadist viole

A military junta has rule Niger for three years but has struggled to contend with jihadist violence.