Niger junta says it has regained control of Niamey after mutinous soldiers attack palace and air base
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Niger junta says it has regained control of Niamey after mutinous soldiers attack palace and air base
Niger junta regains control of capital after mutinous soldiers attack palace and air base
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Niger’s military junta declared on Sunday it had regained control of the capital, Niamey, after mutinous soldiers launched an overnight attack on key government and military sites, including the presidential palace and a major air base.
The unrest began shortly after midnight on Friday into Saturday, with gunfire and explosions reported near Diori Hamani International Airport, home to Base 101, and in the Plateau district, where the presidential palace is located. Witnesses and state media said the mutineers briefly seized parts of the airport, took hostages, and targeted the state broadcaster before being repelled by loyalist forces.
Niger’s Defence Ministry said security forces gradually reclaimed control after the soldiers detained comrades and fired on “sensitive sites,” without specifying the cause of the mutiny. State television later broadcast images of dozens of arrested soldiers, some of whom were reportedly killed or captured. Authorities did not disclose charges or confirm the exact number of casualties.
Russian involvement was confirmed by Moscow’s envoy to Niger, Viktor Woropajew, who told the state news agency TASS that the Africa Corps—Russia’s paramilitary force in the country—assisted the junta at its request. Woropajew said the mutineers had attempted to breach the Hotel Bravia, where Russian diplomats and members of the Sahel States Alliance were staying, but the attack was repelled. Russia’s Defence Ministry stated that the assaults were “repelled by national troops with the assistance of servicemen of the Russian Defence Ministry’s Africa Corps” .
The airport, a strategic hub, also hosts the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps and Italian military personnel, alongside counterterrorism units from the Sahel States Alliance, which includes Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. The mutiny marked the third incident at the airport this year, following attacks in January and June claimed by an affiliate of the Islamic State group.
Junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup and has since aligned Niger with Russia, had not publicly addressed the unrest by Sunday. The ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland urged calm, stating that defense and security forces were “mobilized for the defense of the fatherland” .
Military checkpoints and trucks were visible across Niamey on Sunday, particularly along routes connecting the airport to the presidential district. The state broadcaster, temporarily taken off air during the clashes, resumed operations as authorities declared the situation under control.
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Articles
Au Niger, la tentative de coup dEtat met en lumière les faiblesses de la junte du général Tiani Après avoir été menacé durant une journée, le régime de Niamey est parvenu à mettre fin à une tentative de putsch, grâce à ses alliés russes dAfrica Corps. Mais cette mutinerie révèle sa fragilité, alors que le pays est en proie aux attaques de plusieurs groupes djihadistes.
le monde · 1 day ago
Niger junta, aided by Russian paramilitary forces, regains control after mutiny Nigers defence ministry on Sunday said its forces were gradually regaining control after an attack by mutinous soldiers on Saturday. The mutineers stormed the presidential palace and camped at a military base in Niameys main airport, resisting efforts from loyalist forces, until Russias Africa Corps intervened, several analysts said.
france24 · 1 day ago
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observador · 1 day ago
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meduza · 1 day ago
🔴 BREAKINGApparent Coup Attempt in NigerDozens of soldiers have been arrested following an apparent coup attempt in Nigers capital. The incident marks a significant escalation in political instability within the West African nation, involving military personnel and raising concerns about regional...📰 #Diplomacy #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 1 day ago
⚡ NEWSNiger Military Government Claims Containment of MutinyNigers military-led government announced it has contained a mutiny that began at a military base in Niamey and spread near the presidential palace and state broadcaster. The situation highlights ongoing instability within the countrys political and security apparatus...📰 #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 1 day ago
Niger, lesercito riprende il controllo della base militare con laiuto della Russia. Decine di morti e arrestati tra i ribelli Dopo quasi 24 ore di scontri per il tentato assalto al palazzo presidenziale e lammutinamento nella base militare 101 nella notte tra venerdì e sabato, la giunta militare al potere in Niger ha ripreso il controllo della situazione nella capitale nel corso della serata di ieri. La base, che si trova vicino allaeroporto internazionale, era […] Larticolo Niger, lesercito riprende il controllo della base militare con laiuto della Russia. Decine di morti e arrestati tra i ribelli proviene da Il Fatto Quotidiano.
il fatto quotidiano · 1 day ago
Africa Corps von Russland: Russland soll Niger bei Niederschlagung von Meuterei geholfen haben Im Niger hatten meuternde Soldaten mehrere Ziele in der Hauptstadt Niamey angegriffen. Bei der Niederschlagung half offenbar Russlands Africa Corps.
die zeit · 1 day ago
Nigers military-led government says it contained mutiny: What next? Mutiny began at a military base in Niamey and spread to area near the presidential palace and state broadcaster.
aljazeera · 1 day ago
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aljazeera · 1 day ago
Niger: Russland hilft Militärjunta gegen Meuterei
sueddeutsche · 1 day ago
Niger regains control of military base after coup attempt Disgruntled soldiers who launched attack detained in capital
financial times · 1 day ago
Russias Africa Corps helped put down Niger mutiny, envoy says
news.yahoo.com · 1 day ago
Niger says it regains control of airbase after soldiers mutiny reut.rs/4613TMD
bluesky_Reuters · 1 day ago
Russlands Africa Corps rettet Niger-Junta vor Meuterei Am Samstag kam es in Niamey zu Gefechten an mehreren Orten. Auch der Präsidentenpalast wurde angegriffen
der standard · 1 day ago
Niger: Junta says back in control after mutiny Gunfire and explosions have been reported in Niger, as mutinying soldiers attempted to storm the presidential palace in the capital, Niamey, in a challenge to the ruling junta. The government said it had regained control after hours of fighting on Saturday. Léo Paichard and Nick Rushworth report.
france24 · 1 day ago