Updated: Russia-backed forces recapture Niger military base

By Tolulope Oke

Russian forces have helped Niger’s military authorities retake a key military base in the capital, Niamey, after it was seized by mutinous soldiers, according to diplomatic and security sources cited by AFP.

Members of Niger’s presidential guard, backed by Russian forces, recaptured the air base on Saturday after fighting broke out with soldiers involved in the mutiny.

“The presidential guard has retaken control of the air base with the help of the Russians,” a diplomatic source told AFP.

The source added that several of the rebelling soldiers were killed during the operation, while two security sources also confirmed that the base had been retaken.

The development came after mutinous soldiers triggered armed clashes in Niamey, moving against the presidential palace and disrupting operations at the state broadcaster.

Niger’s ruling junta later declared that it had largely restored control after hours of heavy exchanges around some of the capital’s most sensitive locations.

The fighting began shortly after midnight, when soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station, Tele Sahel.

The broadcaster went off air for just over an hour before transmission was restored at about 10 a.m.

“There was an attempt by insurgents from the Nigerien armed forces to enter the presidential palace,” a security source told AFP, adding that the presidential guard repelled them.

Niger’s Defence Minister, General Salifou Mody, said on state television that a group of soldiers had held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey before opening fire at “certain sensitive sites” in the city.

Mody said troops and security forces responded quickly and regained control, while urging residents to remain calm.

The junta also said in a statement broadcast on state television that it was gradually taking back control after the clashes.

Although fighting appeared to have subsided later on Saturday, a regional security source and an African diplomatic source said the mutinous soldiers still controlled two barracks around Niamey.

By Saturday evening, however, diplomatic and security sources said members of the presidential guard, backed by Russian forces, had recaptured Air Force Base 101.

The first shots were heard at about 1 a.m. local time and continued until daybreak, according to a video published by a local journalist filming around the airport area.

Residents also reported heavy gunfire and explosions around Base 101.

One resident told AFP that he heard “bursts of gunfire” at about 7 a.m., adding that the weapons being used “are not the kind that terrorists on motorbikes can carry”.

He added: “I saw a military vehicle heading towards the base that had to turn back.”

Videos posted online showed armoured vehicles deployed to reinforce the neighbourhood around the airport.

The military had earlier urged residents through its social media pages to remain calm and “avoid sharing unverified information”.

Air Force Base 101 is one of Niger’s most sensitive military installations and hosts the headquarters of Russia’s Africa Corps in Niamey.

The base also serves as the command centre of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States, which comprises Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

Between December and January, the facility hosted a large shipment of uranium concentrate that was awaiting export. No movement of the shipment has since been identified.

Supporters of the junta later called on “sincere patriots” to gather at a major square in Niamey in support of the authorities.

By late afternoon, a few dozen people had assembled at the square, where military music praising junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani was played as a platform was prepared for speeches.

Neighbouring Algeria condemned Saturday’s events and pledged support for the Niamey government.

Niger has been ruled for three years by a military junta led by Tiani, amid a prolonged struggle against jihadist violence that has affected the West African country for about a decade.

Niamey airport has been targeted twice this year by jihadist groups.

The Islamic State in the Sahel, EIS, attacked the airport in January, while the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims, JNIM, the Sahel branch of Al-Qaeda, carried out another attack in late June.

Both groups remain active in Niger and neighbouring Burkina Faso and Mali, targeting civilians and security forces while competing for influence across the Sahel.

Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali are all ruled by military juntas that seized power in 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 ties with Russia.