Niger says it has regained control of airbase after soldiers mutiny

Niger had said it regained control of a ​key military airbase in the capital, Niamey after an attack by mutinous soldiers on Saturday.

This is the latest ‌challenge to military ruler Abdourahamane Tiani as his government struggles to contain a jihadist insurgency.

The attack highlighted tensions within Niger’s armed forces, which have suffered repeated battlefield losses while fighting West Africa’s al Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates.

Explosions and gunfire rang out across Niamey early ​on Saturday, including at the military airbase and around the presidency.

Located in the same complex as Niamey’s ​civilian airport, the airbase is home to military aircraft, drones, and a counter-terrorism unit of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), which includes Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

Russian and Italian forces are ​also stationed there.

Africa Corps, a Kremlin-controlled paramilitary force, received a request for assistance in neutralising the mutineers in Niamey, ​Viktor Voropaev, the Russian ambassador to Niger, said on Saturday in an interview with TASS news agency.

Prior to Saturday’s attack, the airbase had already been targeted twice this year: in January by the regional Islamic State affiliate, and in June by the regional al Qaeda ​affiliate.

Niger state media said late Saturday that the attack involved “hundreds of disaffected soldiers” and that fighting lasted for several ​hours as forces loyal to military leader Tiani tried to regain control.

It aired footage purporting to show surrendering mutineers.

Reuters has not independently ‌confirmed the ⁠state media report.

The Presidential Guard rallied to Tiani’s defence, three security sources said.

Tiani had not made any public appearances as of Sunday morning.

Niger, a West African nation rich in uranium, oil and gold resources, has been ruled by military officers since a July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.