Mutinying Soldiers Attack Strategic Targets in Niger's Capital

A group of mutinying soldiers launched attacks against the military government in Niamey, the capital of Niger, during the night and morning of Saturday. According to the Ministry of Defense, the rebels targeted several strategic locations, including a military base near the international airport and the presidential palace. Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions, while power outages occurred in several parts of the city and the national television station, Tele Sahel, went off the air.

The Ministry of Defense stated that security forces mobilized and successfully repelled the mutineers from the presidential palace. One military source told the Deutsche Presse Agentur that the rebels had temporarily seized the state television building and the international airport, but that control was gradually regained. The unrest reportedly began around 1 a.m. local time and lasted approximately six hours.

Niger has been ruled by a military junta since a coup in July 2023 that ousted the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. General Abdourahamane Tiani, who is closely allied with Russia, has since been declared president without elections until at least 2030. The airport in Niamey has been targeted twice previously this year, once in January by the Islamic State and once in June by Al Qaeda linked rebels. The airbase previously hosted German soldiers until 2024 and currently houses Russian mercenaries and Turkish drones.