Niger junta says it crushed a Niamey mutiny after gunfire at the airport and palace

Gunfire and explosions were heard overnight Friday into Saturday in Niamey, including around the airport and the presidential palace.

Mutinous soldiers attacked or seized Base 101 at Diori Hamani International Airport.

Mutineers detained fellow soldiers or officers at the airbase.

Mutineers opened fire at sensitive sites in Niamey.

Fighting reached the presidential palace, which mutineers tried to enter or attacked.

Mutineers remained camped at the airport military base for hours on Saturday.

The presidential guard held the palace and joined the effort to retake the airbase.

Authorities said security forces gradually contained the mutiny and regained control of targeted sites.

Dozens of soldiers were reported killed or arrested.

State television showed captured soldiers being paraded in public.

State media said hundreds of disaffected soldiers took part.

State media aired footage that appeared to show mutineers surrendering.

Government forces said they had retaken the airbase by Sunday.

Niamey appeared calm on Sunday after the unrest.

Junta leader Abdourahamane Tchiani had not appeared publicly, and some reports said his whereabouts were unclear.

Russian ambassador Viktor Voropaev said Niger asked Russia's Africa Corps for help against the mutineers.

Analysts and diplomats said Africa Corps provided ground and aerial support to loyalist forces.

The Alliance of Sahel States said the mutiny was contained and thwarted and condemned it as a betrayal.

Algeria expressed full solidarity and firm support for Niger.

Algeria sent combat aircraft and a military transport plane to Niamey on Sunday.

Turkey expressed solidarity and called for restraint.

The operation involved soldiers from Ouallam, Tera and Dosso in southwest Niger.

Some mutineers came from southwestern regions worst hit by jihadi violence.

The revolt was described as staged by young soldiers.

The unrest was tied to grievances over worsening jihadi attacks and heavy military casualties.

About 18 soldiers were reported killed in an attack in the Dosso region about a week earlier.

Analyst Heni Nsaibia said mass-casualty attacks on Niger's army are becoming commonplace and will keep fueling unrest in the ranks.

Nsaibia said the same insecurity that drove Sahel coups is now fueling unrest inside those militaries.

Base 101 houses AES joint-force headquarters and Africa Corps facilities, with military aircraft and drones.

Russian and Italian forces are stationed at the airbase.

The airbase was attacked earlier in 2026 by an Islamic State affiliate in January and an al Qaeda-linked group in June.

General Abdourahamane Tchiani seized power in a July 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The 2023 coup leaders said the elected government had failed to contain armed groups.

The junta has not stopped jihadist attacks or heavy losses among security forces.

Since the coup Niger has broken with Western partners, including France and the United States, and deepened ties with Russia.

Niger left ECOWAS and joined Mali and Burkina Faso in the Alliance of Sahel States.

Niger has been tightening control of its uranium sector after taking assets from France's Orano.

Analysts said front-line troops' involvement points to growing frustration in the army.