Niger’s authorities say they have regained control of a key military airbase in the capital, Niamey, following an attack by mutinous soldiers that raised fresh concerns about stability under military ruler Abdourahamane Tiani.
The attack began early Saturday, with explosions and gunfire reported around the military airbase and the presidential complex. The airbase, located alongside Niamey’s civilian airport, houses military aircraft, drones and a counter-terrorism unit belonging to the Alliance of Sahel States, which includes Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.
Nigerian state media reported that hundreds of dissatisfied soldiers were involved in the mutiny and that fighting continued for several hours as forces loyal to Tiani attempted to retake the facility. State television later broadcast footage it said showed some of the mutineers surrendering.
Reuters said it could not independently verify the state media's account.
Three security sources said the Presidential Guard moved to defend Tiani. The military leader had not made a public appearance as of Sunday morning.
The airbase has previously been targeted by jihadist groups, including an Islamic State affiliate in January and an al-Qaeda-linked group in June.
The latest unrest comes as Niger’s military faces growing pressure over continued attacks by jihadist groups. An Islamic State affiliate has carried out several deadly assaults against Nigerien forces, including an attack earlier this month that reportedly killed 18 soldiers.
Security sources and analysts say frustration is growing among frontline troops, particularly in areas such as Ouallam, Tera and Dosso, where the military has suffered heavy casualties.
Tiani came to power following the July 2023 military coup that removed President Mohamed Bazoum. Since then, Niger has reduced cooperation with Western countries, strengthened its relationship with Russia and withdrawn from the regional ECOWAS bloc alongside Mali and Burkina Faso.
The latest mutiny therefore represents another serious challenge for Tiani’s government, which is already struggling to contain the worsening jihadist insurgency.
Niger, which has significant uranium, oil and gold resources, has also been tightening state control over its mining sector, including taking assets previously held by French uranium company Orano.
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