RismadarVoice Reporters, August 30, 2026
Niger’s presidential guard, reportedly assisted by Russian forces, has recaptured a key military base in the capital, Niamey, after mutinous soldiers took control of the facility and triggered clashes in the city.
Diplomatic and security sources told AFP on Saturday that the presidential guard had regained control of Air Force Base 101 with assistance from Russian personnel.
“The presidential guard has retaken control of the air base with the help of the Russians,” a diplomatic source said, adding that several mutinous soldiers had been killed.
Two security sources also confirmed that the base had been retaken.
The development came after armed clashes erupted in Niamey on Saturday, with mutinous soldiers reportedly moving towards the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster, Tele Sahel.
Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, which has faced persistent challenges in containing jihadist violence across the country.
After several hours of heavy fighting around sensitive locations in the capital, the junta said it had largely regained control.
The fighting appeared to have subsided later in the day, although security and diplomatic sources said some mutinous troops were still holding two barracks around Niamey.
The situation changed by Saturday evening when the presidential guard, backed by Russian forces, reportedly recaptured the air base.
The clashes began shortly after midnight, with soldiers blocking access to the presidential palace and national television station. Tele Sahel was taken off air for more than an hour before resuming broadcasts at about 10:00 a.m.
The Nigerien authorities later announced on state television that they were gradually restoring control after the unrest.
A security source told AFP that the mutinous soldiers had attempted to enter the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard.
Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody, said a group of soldiers had taken some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey and opened fire at certain sensitive locations across the city.
He said security forces had quickly moved to restore order and urged residents to remain calm.
Residents reported hearing heavy gunfire and explosions in the early hours of Saturday.
The first shots were reportedly heard at about 1:00 a.m. local time and continued until daybreak.
The military subsequently urged residents to remain calm and warned against sharing unverified information on social media.
One resident told AFP that there had been “heavy gunfire and explosions” around Base 101, a report supported by other witnesses.
Another resident said he heard bursts of gunfire at about 7:00 a.m., noting that the weapons sounded different from those typically carried by jihadists.
Videos circulated online also showed armoured vehicles deployed around the airport area.
Air Force Base 101, located within the international airport complex, hosts the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey.
The base is also the command centre of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, comprising Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.
The facility has previously been considered strategically sensitive, having hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate between December and January while awaiting export.
Meanwhile, supporters of the junta called on “sincere patriots” to demonstrate in support of the authorities at a major square in Niamey.
By late afternoon, dozens of people had gathered at the location as military music praising General Tiani played and a platform was prepared for speeches.
Neighbouring Algeria condemned the unrest and expressed support for the Nigerien government.
The latest unrest comes amid continuing jihadist threats in Niger.
Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadist groups. The Islamic State in the Sahel attacked the facility in January, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM, the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda, launched another attack in late June.
Both groups are active in Niger and are competing for influence across the Sahel while targeting civilians and security forces.
The groups also operate in neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, which, like Niger, are governed by military juntas that came to power through coups.
The three countries have withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS, distanced themselves from traditional Western partners, particularly France, and strengthened their ties with Russia.
