Gunfire erupted early Thursday near Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger’s capital, residents told AFP.

Witnesses said the shooting began around 6 a.m. and appeared to come from the airport entrance, continuing for about two hours. No official statement had been issued at the time of reporting.

The incident comes months after a January attack on the airport claimed by the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), which was repelled by Nigerien forces and allied Russian personnel.

Niger has faced ongoing jihadist violence for over a decade, though such attacks had previously been largely confined to other parts of the country.