NewzNIAMEY, Niger (AP) — Dozens of soldiers were killed or arrested after a group of young troops attempted a mutiny in Niger’s capital in what was seen as a major threat to the country’s ruling junta, according to a state television broadcast and analysts.The state broadcaster, RTN, showed footage of dozens of soldiers being paraded in public after the unrest at a key military base within Niamey’s main airport and near the presidential palace.“The fighting lasted a few hours in several places, which allowed (security forces) to gradually control the situation, arrest and incapacitate these moody soldiers,” it reported.Russia’s Africa Corps provided aerial and ground support to local forces in resisting the rebellion, according to several diplomats and analysts.The Associated Press could not independently confirm the accounts or whether the Nigerien security forces have regained full control of the situation.The unrest appeared to have been triggered by grievances over the country’s security woes and the incessant killing of security forces, analysts said. Some of the mutinous soldiers came from the southwest of the country, among the regions worst-hit by insecurity, according to one European diplomat.Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard overnight into Saturday, including at Niamey's main airport that houses the military air base and in a district where the presidential palace is located. Security forces were deployed to key locations.By Saturday evening, the situation remained tense with the mutineers camped at the airport while the presidential guard remained in control of the presidency, according to several analysts and one diplomat.
The whereabouts of military leader Abdourahamane Tchiani are unclear.Niger's junta came to power after a 2023 coup which it said was prompted by the elected government's inability to stem armed violence. Since then, the impoverished West African country of more than 25 million people has severed ties with longtime Western security partners, turning instead to Russia. But the junta has been unable to stem jihadi violence and rampant killing of security forces, fueling unrest within the military, observers say.Niger’s Defense Minister Gen.
Salifou Mody said a group of soldiers took some officers hostage at the base and shot at “sensitive sites” in a “break with the discipline and military regulations.”Security forces were … NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — A group of soldiers in Niger rebelled against officers at a key military base and fired at sensitive locations in the capital, Niamey, in an apparent mutiny marked by gunfire and explosions, authorities said Saturday, in what was seen as a major threat to the country’s struggling junta. Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard overnight into Saturday in the city, including at the main airport that houses the military air base, known as Base 101, and in the Plateau administrative district, where the presidential palace and key institutions are located.
It’s the latest threat to Niger’s military junta under Abdourahamane Tchiani, who seized power following a 2023 coup. The West African country has since then severed ties with longtime Western security partners and turned to Russia. It has continued, however, to face attacks from jihadi rebels and worsening economic hardship after aid cuts.
Salifou Mody said some soldiers took some officers hostage at the base and shot at “sensitive sites” in a “break with the discipline and military regulations.” The prompt reaction of the Defense and Security Forces made it possible to intervene “and gradually regain control of these sites,” Mody said. It was not immediately clear if the situation was under control. Security forces were deployed around the airport and in the Plateau district while a major road leading to Niamey was closed.
Many residents remained indoors over safety concerns. It is the third time this year that the base at the Diori Hamani International Airport has been attacked, after two earlier assaults by jihadi rebels. State broadcaster RTN stopped its live transmission for some time on Saturday morning, but later resumed its broadcast.
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