[UPDATE-Aug 7-13:30Z] ECOWAS Ultimatum Expired – ‘We Wont Back Down Despite Inhumane Sanctions,’ Niger Junta Claims

Aggression against country being prepared, rebels in Niger say The National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, the ruling authority of Niger’s rebels, said a foreign country is preparing the aggression against this African nation, the Al Arabiya TV channel said. The Council did not detail what specific country was meant. The junta in Niger said it had closed Nigerien airspace as of Sunday until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc after coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate the ousted president. Thousands in Niger rally in support of coup leaders…