(MENAFN- AzerNews) Days after Niger's ruling military junta closed the country's
airspace, Turkish nationals stranded in the West African nation
arrived on Wednesday in Istanbul aboard a special flight, Azernews
reports, citing Anadolu Agency.
Turkish Airlines flight TK635 landed at Istanbul Airport at
about 4.30 a.m. local time (0130GMT) after a roughly five-hour
journey from the International Diori Hamani Airport in Niamey.
Carrying mostly Turkish citizens, the Airbus A330-200 departed
Niger on a special permit after the airspace closure, announced
Sunday, in the aftermath of a military coup late last month that
saw democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum overthrown by
his personal guard.
One of the passengers, Tugyan Isik told Anadolu that previous
flights out of the country had been postponed.
Thanking Turkish authorities for helping secure their return, he
pointed to the difficulties in the country due to power outages
after neighboring Nigeria cut off Niger's supply.
"Nigeria cut off electricity. Its (Niger's) internal power is
severely limited. There is electricity for 2-3 hours a day, and
none for the rest. Internet relies on it (electricity), water
relies on it. There have been numerous systemic problems," he said,
recounting his experience.
Niger's junta announced Sunday that the country's airspace was
closed until further notice in response to the possibility of
military intervention from the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS).
Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, the head of Niger's presidential
guard, declared himself the new leader of the country after a coup
on July 28.
Tchiani said the coup was staged due to the "deteriorating
security situation" in the West African country.
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