Algeria sent fighter jets to Niger in late August to support authorities during a Niger mutiny, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has said.
Tebboune confirmed the deployment during an interview with Algerian media, according to Al Jazeera.
The aircraft were sent after gunfire and explosions erupted in Niger’s capital, Niamey, during an attempted military uprising.
Algeria deployed fighter jets to Niger
Tebboune said Algeria decided to send the aircraft because some parties had “gone too far”.
“For obvious reasons, this is a provocation against us … and I too will send planes and we’ll meet head-on,” he said.
However, Tebboune did not identify who he was referring to or say whether he meant actors inside or outside Niger.
Algeria’s Ministry of Defence had previously announced the deployment on August 30.
According to the ministry, two patrols involving four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets landed at Niamey airport. An air-to-air refuelling aircraft also accompanied the deployment.
The ministry said the aircraft were sent at the request of Nigerien authorities to support Niger’s forces against an attempt to destabilise the country.
Gunfire and explosions hit Niamey
The Niger mutiny unfolded overnight from August 28 to August 29.
Gunfire and explosions were reported across Niamey.
According to Niger’s Defence Minister General Salifou Modi, military personnel attempted to detain colleagues at Air Base 101.
The mutineers then opened fire on several strategic locations, he said.
Targets included the airport military base, the state broadcaster and the presidential palace.
Modi said security forces eventually contained the unrest and regained control of the targeted locations.
Niger accused France of involvement
Niger’s military authorities later accused France of orchestrating the failed mutiny.
France denied involvement.
Algeria has not publicly identified France or another country as responsible for the unrest in the comments reported by Al Jazeera.
Algeria and Niger share a long border and maintain close security ties.
Nigerien Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine had visited Algeria on August 26 and 27, shortly before the unrest.
During the visit, Zeine met Tebboune as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation between the two countries.