Mutinous Soldiers Attack Airport and Presidency in Niger's Capital

Sustained gunfire and explosions echoed across Niger's capital, Niamey, in the early hours of Saturday, as mutinous soldiers launched attacks on the airport and the presidential palace, according to four security sources. The assault, which lasted for hours, involved troops from the southwestern localities of Ouallam, Tera, and Dosso, areas that have suffered heavy casualties in battles with the regional Islamic State affiliate.

A witness reported heavy gunfire near the presidency, while another described further shooting at the airport and heavy explosions in the pre-dawn hours. State television and radio went offline, though the government issued a statement urging calm and saying security forces were mobilising in response.

Bana Wagana Ibrahim, a member of Niger's Bureau of the Consultative Council and a deputy in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Parliament, said on Facebook that attackers had targeted the military airbase, Base 101, but that security forces had regained control. "Another cowardly attack on Base 101 and once again our defence and security forces ensured... Situation under control," he wrote.

By 0900 GMT, the presidential palace appeared secured by loyalist troops, but the area around the airport was still contested, according to two security sources and a diplomat. The mutineers had taken control of state television. Varta Wire could not independently verify these accounts.

The attack is the latest challenge to the rule of Abdourahamane Tiani, who seized power in a 2023 coup. Despite his pledge to improve security in the Sahel nation, jihadist attacks have persisted. Earlier this year, affiliates of al Qaeda and Islamic State both struck the civilian airport and military airbase. West Africa's al Qaeda affiliate claimed responsibility for an attack on the Niamey airport in June, five months after Islamic State Sahel Province targeted the same site.

Niger, a major uranium producer, has been ruled by military officers since the 2023 coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. Like neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali, it has failed to turn the tide against Islamist insurgencies. Tiani's government has shifted away from Western partners, deepened ties with Russia, and broken with the ECOWAS bloc, forming the breakaway AES with Mali and Burkina Faso.

The unrest comes as authorities tighten control over the uranium sector, having seized assets from France's Orano. Last week, the government reallocated former Orano and GoviEx uranium permits to state-backed companies, according to a decree.