The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement that the evacuation of French nationals from Niger will begin today, Tuesday, following the military coup that occurred last week and anti-French protests in the country.

The statement also added that French authorities are working to evacuate citizens from other European countries.

The French Foreign Ministry clarified that “in light of the situation in the capital Niamey and the assaults that targeted the French embassy there, along with the closure of airspace, which does not allow for the return of French citizens present there by their own means, France has prepared for the evacuation operations for its citizens and the citizens of European countries wishing to do so,”

noting that the evacuation operations will commence today, Tuesday, August 1st.