Mutinous soldiers attacked several strategic sites in Niger’s capital early Saturday, including the international airport and the area surrounding the presidential palace, according to security sources.
Sustained gunfire and explosions were heard across Niamey for several hours. State television and radio were taken off air, while the government urged residents to remain calm and said security forces had been mobilised.
The assault involved soldiers stationed in Ouallam, Tera and Dosso in southwestern Niger, a local security source and researcher Yvan Guichaoua said. Military units in those areas have suffered heavy casualties in fighting against an affiliate of the Islamic State group.
By 9 a.m. GMT, soldiers loyal to military ruler Abdourahamane Tiani appeared to have secured the presidential palace. However, mutineers had reportedly taken control of state television, while fighting continued around the airport, according to two security sources and a diplomat.
The accounts could not be independently verified, and Niger’s government had not provided a detailed statement identifying those responsible for the unrest.
Earlier, another security source described the attackers as “terrorists” and said they had attempted to breach the presidential security perimeter after targeting the airport.
Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger’s Consultative Council and a representative in the Alliance of Sahel States Parliament, said security forces had regained control of Base 101, the military installation at the airport.
However, witnesses subsequently reported renewed gunfire and heavy explosions around the airport before dawn, indicating that the situation remained unsettled.
The violence represents the latest challenge to Tiani, who seized power in the July 2023 military coup that removed elected president Mohamed Bazoum. Tiani’s administration promised to improve security, but attacks by armed groups linked to Al-Qaeda and Islamic State have continued.
Niamey’s civilian airport and adjoining military base have previously been targeted. Al-Qaeda’s West African affiliate claimed an attack there in June, five months after Islamic State Sahel Province struck the same location.
Niger has distanced itself from its former Western partners since the coup, strengthened relations with Russia and withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States. It has joined military-led Mali and Burkina Faso in the breakaway Alliance of Sahel States.
The instability also comes as Niger expands state control over its mineral wealth. The uranium-rich country has seized assets formerly operated by French nuclear company Orano and recently transferred uranium permits previously held by Orano and GoviEx to state-backed companies.