Nigerien forces have regained control of a strategic airbase in the capital, Niamey, after suppressing a military mutiny that triggered hours of gunfire near the presidential palace, the airport, and other government sites.

The unrest began overnight from Friday into Saturday at Air Base 101, located inside the Diori Hamani International Airport complex. The Nigerien Defense Ministry initially described it as an internal “movement of discontent” involving soldiers who had broken military regulations.

Moscow’s ambassador to Niamey, Viktor Voropayev, later confirmed that Russia’s Africa Corps had helped Nigerien forces suppress the mutiny after the command of Air Base 101 requested assistance.

How did the mutiny begin?

A group of soldiers at Air Base 101 attempted to detain some of their fellow servicemen before firing at several “sensitive sites” in Niamey, Defense Minister General Salifou Mody said in a statement broadcast by state television.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were subsequently reported around the airport and the Plateau district, which contains the presidential palace, government ministries, and several major hotels. The mutineers reportedly tried to advance on the presidential palace but were repelled by the presidential guard. The signal of state broadcaster RTN was disrupted for more than an hour amid reports that soldiers had briefly entered the premises.

The Defense Ministry said the rapid deployment of the security forces had contained the uprising and allowed the authorities to begin recovering the affected positions. Residents were urged to remain calm and continue their normal activities.

Air Base 101 is particularly important because it houses Nigerien aircraft, Russia’s Africa Corps personnel, and the headquarters of the joint force established by Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso under the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

The airport complex had already been targeted twice in 2026, including an Islamic State attack in January and an assault blamed on the Al-Qaeda-linked Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims in June.

How was the airbase retaken from the mutineers?

Government forces regained control of Air Base 101 after the remaining mutineers surrendered or were dislodged late on Saturday, according to state media and several international news agencies.

Radio Television du Niger broadcast images of detained soldiers and reported that dozens of those involved had been killed or arrested. The authorities have not released an official casualty figure or identified the alleged organizers.

Roads leading to the airport later reopened and commercial flights continued, while shops, filling stations, and other businesses resumed operations, the state-run Niger Press Agency reported.

Russian Ambassador Voropayev told RT that the situation was fully under government control and that the mutineers had been “neutralized.” He described the attacks as coordinated, citing gunfire in several districts and the reported attempt to seize the national broadcaster.

Involvement of Russia’s Africa Corps in the government’s response

Russia’s Africa Corps aided Nigerien forces in suppressing the mutiny after the command of Air Base 101 asked for assistance, Ambassador Voropayev said. Africa Corps personnel subsequently provided ground and aerial support to loyalist forces attempting to recover the base, multiple outlets, including AP, reported.

After the base was retaken, Niger’s chief of the general staff, army chief of staff, and the commander of Air Base 101 visited the Africa Corps base at the airport. They “expressed gratitude to its servicemen for their assistance in suppressing the rebellion,” Voropayev separately told TASS.

The Africa Corps, which operates under the Russian Defense Ministry, has been stationed in Niger since 2024. Its personnel provide training, equipment and security assistance under agreements signed after Niamey cut military ties with France and the US.

How has the international community responded?

Russia expressed solidarity with Niger and pledged continued support for Niamey’s fight against extremists, “including those incited by former European colonial powers.”

Algeria condemned the unrest and assured the Nigerien authorities of its “full solidarity” and “firm support.” Niger said four Algerian Su-30 fighter jets, accompanied by an Il-76 military transport aircraft and an Il-78 aerial refueling tanker, landed in Niamey on Sunday as part of Algeria’s “strategic support” for its military.

Türkiye called for restraint to preserve Niger’s security and stability, saying it would “continue to stand in solidarity with Niger and support its people.”

Egypt called for the preservation of state institutions, national unity and territorial integrity, while Saudi Arabia pledged support for efforts to safeguard Niger’s security, sovereignty and resources.

What happens next?

The AES issued a statement on Saturday condemning the mutiny as a destabilization attempt and reaffirming its “full support” for Niger.

The group, currently chaired by Burkinabe transitional leader Captain Ibrahim Traore, praised the loyalty and courage of Nigerien security forces. It also urged people across its member states to “remain vigilant against disinformation campaigns, manipulation of public opinion and attempts to sow division.”

The uprising represents the most serious reported internal challenge to the transitional authorities since General Abdourahamane Tchiani led the July 2023 military coup that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum.

The failed mutiny also comes amid growing security partnership between Russia and the three military-led AES states. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso have turned to Moscow for counterterrorism support after accusing their Western partners of failing to contain the insurgency and severing longstanding defense ties with their former colonial power, France.