Russia Claims Support in Foiling Niger Coup Attempt

The Alliance of Sahel States—a coalition of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—termed the abortive coup “a betrayal by a faction of soldiers seeking to destabilize the country.”

Officials have yet to provide details on the number of soldiers involved or any resulting casualties.

Niger’s military leader, Gen. Tiani—who assumed the presidency last year after ousting the elected government—has similarly remained silent on the matter.

The state broadcaster aired footage of several suspected mutineers being taken into custody by the Presidential Guard.

By Sunday, the Niger Press Agency noted a return to normal commercial activity, with fuel stations, shops, and other enterprises resuming operations.

Government backers assembled in a central Niamey plaza to voice support for the security forces and Tiani’s administration.

Air Base 101—the military installation targeted on Saturday—forms part of the Diori Hamani airport complex.

The base houses Nigerien aircraft and drones, an Alliance of Sahel States counter‑terrorism unit, and, according to Reuters, Russian and Italian contingents.

All three nations—Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—are under military rule, having severed ties with Western partners and deepened cooperation with Russia.

Nevertheless, jihadist attacks persist across the three countries despite the realignment of alliances.

For Niger’s administration, Saturday’s mutiny underscores that the armed forces are confronting both external insurgency and internal dissent.

The base where the mutiny originated had already been struck twice this year—by an Islamic State‑linked group and later by an al‑Qaeda affiliate.

Nigerien authorities report that security forces have intensified patrols around critical sites in Niamey, such as the main airport entry and the presidential pavilion, after the attempted takeover.

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