Algeria Sent Fighter Jets to Niger to Foil Coup Attempt – President

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has confirmed that Algeria deployed fighter jets to Niger in late August to help prevent an attempted military coup in the capital, Niamey.

Tebboune made the revelation in an interview with local media, excerpts of which were broadcast on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

He said the deployment followed an attack by mutinous soldiers in Niamey, describing the incident as a “provocation” against Algeria.

Tebboune said Algeria decided to intervene after what he described as certain parties going “too far”. However, he did not clarify who he was referring to or whether the alleged actors were inside or outside Niger.

Fighting broke out in Niamey overnight on August 28 and 29, with gunfire and explosions reported in several parts of the capital. Mutineers attacked a military base at Diori Hamani International Airport before targeting the state broadcaster and the presidential palace.

Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Modi, said at the time that military personnel had attempted to detain some of their colleagues at Air Base 101 and had opened fire on strategic locations.

Security forces eventually contained the mutiny and regained control of the targeted areas.

On August 30, Algeria’s Defence Ministry confirmed that it had deployed fighter jets to Niger at the request of the Nigerien authorities. It said two patrols, each consisting of four Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft, had landed at Niamey airport, accompanied by an air-to-air refuelling aircraft.

The ministry said the deployment was intended to support the Nigerien army in confronting an attempt to destabilise the country.

Niger’s military authorities later accused France of orchestrating the failed mutiny, but Paris rejected the allegation and denied any involvement.

Algeria and Niger maintain close security and military ties and share a long border. Algiers considers stability in the Sahel region important to its national security.

Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine had visited Algeria on August 26–27 as head of a high-level delegation focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries. According to Tebboune, Zeine returned to Niger shortly before the mutiny.