Niger junta regains control of capital after mutinous soldiers attack palace and air base
Niger’s ruling military junta declared it had regained control of the capital, Niamey, on Saturday after mutinous soldiers launched an attempted coup, attacking the presidential palace, a key air force base and disrupting the state broadcaster.
Gunfire and explosions were reported overnight into Saturday near Niamey’s main airport, which houses the 101 Air Base, and in the Plateau district, where the presidential palace is located. The presidential guard repelled an attempt to breach the palace and remained loyal to junta leader Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, according to security sources u.afp.com/SVsx.
By Saturday evening, the junta said it had “gradually” reclaimed control, with the presidential guard retaking the 101 Air Base with Russian assistance. Diplomatic sources told AFP that “the end of the mutiny” had been secured, with several mutineers killed u.afp.com/SVmj. The base hosts the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps and the joint forces command of the Sahel States Alliance, which includes Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Niger’s state broadcaster RTN temporarily halted its live transmission Saturday morning but later resumed. The Defense Ministry said a group of soldiers had taken officers hostage at the base and fired at “sensitive sites,” describing the actions as a “break with discipline and military regulations.” The ruling National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland called for unity in a Facebook post, stating, “Our Defense and Security Forces are mobilized for the Defense of the Fatherland. Let us remain united, vigilant and supportive.”
Russian Ambassador to Niger Viktor Voropayev said Niger had requested help from the Africa Corps to suppress the mutiny, according to Russian state media. Analysts and diplomats noted that Russian operatives provided aerial and ground support to local forces, with senior Nigerien officers later visiting the Africa Corps base to express gratitude, as cited by Voropayev observador.pt.
The unrest followed months of discontent within the military over security failures and persistent attacks by jihadist groups. Niger’s junta, which seized power in a July 2023 coup, has since severed ties with Western security partners and deepened cooperation with Russia. The 101 Air Base and Diori Hamani Airport have been targeted in previous attacks this year, including a January assault claimed by the Islamic State and a June attack linked to al-Qaida.
State television reported that dozens of soldiers, mostly young, were detained or killed after the mutiny. Images broadcast by RTN showed captured soldiers following hours of clashes at the airport complex and near the presidential palace. The whereabouts of Gen. Tiani remained unclear as of Saturday evening, according to analysts observador.pt.
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