Niger junta thwarts mutiny attempt with Russian assistance in Niamey
Niger's military regime, led by General Abdourahamane Tiani, reportedly thwarted a mutiny attempt in Niamey on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with assistance from its Russian partners. Intense fighting involving heavy weapons occurred overnight and into the morning in several capital districts, including the presidential area and the airport zone, home to the strategic military base 101. The clashes were between mutinous soldiers and loyalist forces, notably the presidential guard. A diplomatic source in Niamey confirmed that the presidential guard, aided by Russians, regained control of the airbase, resulting in several deaths among the mutineers. Two security sources also confirmed the base's recapture and the end of the mutiny. The Alliance of Sahel States AES, comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, issued a statement Saturday evening, claiming a "betrayal by a group of soldiers involved in a destabilization attempt" which was "contained and thwarted" by loyalist forces. Russia's ambassador to Niamey, Viktor Voropa茂ev, earlier stated that Niger had requested assistance from the Russian paramilitary group Africa Corps to suppress a mutiny. Africa Corps elements are headquartered at Base 101, which also hosts the staff of the AES unified force. Nigerien national television broadcast images of soldiers surrendering and others sitting on the ground, some appearing wounded. Earlier, Defense Minister Salifou Mody mentioned a "group of soldiers in breach of military regulations" w
