4 days ago
Mutinous Soldiers Attack Niamey Airport and Presidency Perimeter
People in Niamey, Niger, heard gunfire and explosions early Saturday morning.
Reports said attackers went after the airport, a military base and areas near the president’s offices.
Several sources described the attackers as soldiers who had turned against the government.
One source instead called them terrorists.
Loyalist soldiers appeared to regain control of the presidential palace and some other locations.
The airport area was still described as contested later in the morning.
Reports also disagreed about whether state television and radio were operating or controlled by mutineers.
Niger’s government asked people to remain calm, and Reuters could not confirm every report.
The attack happened while Niger’s military government continues fighting jihadist groups.
Sustained gunfire and explosions were reported across Niamey early Saturday, Aug. 29.
Sources said mutinous soldiers targeted Diori Hamani International Airport, Base 101 and the presidency’s security perimeter.
Loyalist forces reportedly secured the presidential palace and began retaking targeted sites, but the airport area remained contested by late morning.
Accounts differed over whether the attackers were terrorists or mutinous soldiers, and whether state television and radio remained under their control.
Niger’s government urged calm, while Reuters said it could not independently verify the conflicting battlefield reports.
- Who
- Mutinous soldiers or unidentified attackers, loyalist Nigerien forces, Niger’s military government and officials including General Abdourahamane Tiani; one security source described the attackers as terrorists.
- What
- Gunfire and explosions accompanied reported attacks on Diori Hamani International Airport, Base 101 and the presidency’s security perimeter.
- Where
- Niamey, Niger, including Diori Hamani International Airport, Base 101, the presidential palace and surrounding areas.
- When
- Early Saturday, Aug. 29; gunfire reportedly resumed near the airport at about 0213 GMT, with the situation still unclear by 0900 GMT.
- Why
- The immediate motive was not established. The unrest occurred amid persistent Islamist insurgencies and reported frustration among some frontline troops.
Official and loyalist account
Mutiny and contested-control account
Identity of the attackers
Official and loyalist account
A Niger security source described the attackers as terrorists who targeted the airport and tried to breach the presidency’s security perimeter.
Mutiny and contested-control account
Four sources and researcher Yvan Guichaoua described the assault as a mutiny involving soldiers from or linked to Ouallam, Tera and Dosso.
Control of military sites
Official and loyalist account
Bana Wagana Ibrahim said security forces had regained control of Base 101, while another security source said attackers had been neutralised or had fled.
Mutiny and contested-control account
Witnesses and other sources reported continued gunfire and explosions, and said the airport area remained contested later in the morning.
Control of state media
Official and loyalist account
State television later resumed broadcasts and aired a message saying the disturbance had been contained.
Mutiny and contested-control account
Earlier reports said state television and radio were offline, while other sources said state television had fallen to mutineers; the conflicting claims were not independently verified.
Key facts
- Country
- Niger
- Capital
- Niamey
- Reported targets
- Diori Hamani International Airport, Base 101 and the presidency’s security perimeter
- Reported attackers
- Several sources described mutinous soldiers; a separate security source called them terrorists
- Security response
- Loyalist forces reportedly secured the presidential palace and began operations to retake other sites
- Media disruption
- State television and radio were reported offline in one account; another said state television resumed broadcasts with a government message
- Government statement
- Niger’s government urged calm and said security forces were mobilising
- Verification
- Reuters could not independently verify the accounts, and the military government was not immediately available for detailed comment
Quotes
Bana Wagana Ibrahim
Member of Niger’s Bureau of the Consultative Council and deputy in the AES Parliament
“Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured … Situation under control”
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Sources
Attackers target Niger’s Niamey airport and presidency perimeter, sources say
Explosions, gunfire reported at Niger’s Niamey airport, presidency perimeter
Explosions, gunfire at Niger’s Niamey airport and presidency perimeter, sources say
Mutinous soldiers attack airport, presidency in Niger capital
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