Gunfire heard near Mali’s main international airport in the capital, AP reporter and residents say

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Gunfire was heard near Mali’s international airport in the capital Bamako early Saturday, an Associated Press reporter and residents said.

An AP journalist in Bamako heard sustained heavy weapons and automatic rifle gunfire coming from Modibo Keïta International Airport, around 15 kilometers (9 miles) from the city center, and saw a helicopter patrolling over nearby neighborhoods.

The airport is adjacent to an airbase used by the Malian Air Force.