3 days ago
Niger Regains Airbase After Mutiny Challenges Military Ruler
Soldiers who were unhappy with Niger’s military government attacked important places in the capital, Niamey.
The targets included the airport, a military airbase and the presidency.
Gunfire and explosions lasted for several hours, and state television and radio briefly stopped broadcasting.
The government later said loyal soldiers had regained control of the airbase and other locations.
Other reports said the airport was still contested earlier in the day, so the situation was unclear for a time.
State media said hundreds of soldiers took part, but Reuters could not independently confirm that number.
Some of the soldiers came from areas where the army has suffered many deaths fighting jihadist groups.
The mutiny created another problem for Abdourahamane Tiani, who took power in a 2023 coup.
Analysts warned that fighting among soldiers could make it harder to fight al Qaeda- and Islamic State-linked militants.
Mutinous soldiers attacked Niamey’s airport, military airbase and presidency early Saturday, causing hours of gunfire and explosions.
Niger’s defence ministry said loyalist forces gradually retook seized sites, while security sources initially reported the airport remained contested.
State media later said hundreds of disaffected soldiers were involved and showed footage of alleged surrendering mutineers; Reuters could not independently verify it.
The mutiny involved troops from Niamey and the localities of Ouallam, Tera and Dosso, where the army has suffered heavy losses fighting jihadists.
The unrest threatens Abdourahamane Tiani’s rule and could divert resources from Niger’s campaign against al Qaeda- and Islamic State-linked groups.
- Who
- Mutinous soldiers and forces loyal to Niger’s military ruler Abdourahamane Tiani; the Presidential Guard rallied to Tiani’s defence.
- What
- Mutineers attacked sensitive sites in Niamey, prompting hours of fighting before the government said it regained control of the airbase.
- Where
- Niamey, Niger, including the civilian airport, military airbase and area around the presidency.
- When
- Early Saturday, with reports dated August 29 and August 30; Tiani had not made a public appearance by Sunday morning.
- Why
- The soldiers’ specific demands were not reported, but analysts and security sources linked the mutiny to frustration over heavy battlefield losses and continuing jihadist attacks.
Government Loyalists
Mutinous Soldiers
Control of strategic sites
Government Loyalists
The defence ministry said loyalist forces were gradually retaking seized sites, and Niger later said it had regained control of the military airbase.
Mutinous Soldiers
Mutineers attacked and contested sensitive locations, including the airport and airbase; security sources said the airport remained contested during the afternoon.
Scale and course of the fighting
Government Loyalists
State media said security forces contained the disturbance and later reported that forces loyal to Tiani had fought for hours to restore control.
Mutinous Soldiers
State media described the attackers as hundreds of disaffected soldiers, although Reuters could not independently verify the report or footage of alleged surrenders.
Reason for the unrest
Government Loyalists
The government’s security effort remains focused on fighting jihadist groups and maintaining control after the 2023 coup.
Mutinous Soldiers
The mutiny reportedly included troops from areas suffering heavy casualties, and analysts and security sources said frustration with the government was mounting within frontline units.
Key facts
- Country
- Niger
- Capital
- Niamey
- Military ruler
- Abdourahamane Tiani, who took power in a July 2023 coup
- Main sites involved
- The civilian airport, military airbase and presidency
- Reported outcome
- Niger said it had regained control of the military airbase
- Mutiny participants
- State media described hundreds of disaffected soldiers; Reuters did not independently confirm the figure
- Security context
- Niger continues fighting affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State after repeated military losses
Quotes
Heni Nsaibia
Senior analyst for West Africa at Armed Conflict Location & Event Data.
“Just a week ago, some 18 soldiers were killed in an attack on their position in the southern Dosso region. These mass-casualty overrun attacks on the Nigerien military are becoming commonplace and will continue to fuel unrest and aggravate tensions within the army ranks.”
theprint.in
“The jihadist groups will be the only winners in this situation.”
theprint.in
Sources
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