Niger requests the help of the Russian African Corps to thwart a military rebellion

Sources reported that the clashes broke out on the night of August 28-29, when rebel soldiers tried to detain their colleagues in the barracks of Air Base 101, located near Niamey International Airport, and opened fire on sensitive sites in the capital, including an attempt to storm the presidential palace, which was confronted by the presidential guard.

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Niger requests the help of the Russian Africa Corps in thwarting a military rebellion

Nigerian state television (ORTN) showed footage of dozens of arrested soldiers being paraded in front of the public, noting that “the fighting continued for several hours in multiple places, which allowed the security forces to gradually control the situation, arrest these soldiers and paralyze their movement.”

The Nigerian Minister of Defence, Lieutenant General Salifu Modi, confirmed that “the rapid reaction of the Defense and Security Forces made it possible to contain this movement and gradually restore control over these sites.”

The Russian ambassador to Niger, Viktor Vorobaev, also revealed that the Nigerien military leadership requested the support of the “African Corps” of the Russian Ministry of Defense to help suppress the rebellion attempt, indicating that young officers from the Tillaberi and Dosso regions were the ones who carried out the attempt, suggesting that they were “directed from abroad.”

The General Staff of the Nigerian Army expressed its thanks to the Russian African Corps for its assistance in suppressing the rebellion.

Field sources reported that members of the African Legion fought alongside the Presidential Guard forces, using attack drones against rebel positions, before the regular forces regained control of Air Base 101 on Saturday evening. This base is considered a main headquarters for Niger's Russian partners and for the leadership of the unified force of the Sahel countries coalition, which includes Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali.

This attempt comes in light of escalating tension, as Niamey Airport witnessed two separate attacks this year, last January and June. Observers indicate that the growing frustration among the front units due to the large human losses in confronting terrorist groups may be a motive behind these movements. General Abderrahmane Tiani, who has been leading the military junta since July 2023, had pledged to improve security, but terrorist attacks continued in the country, which is a major uranium producer.

It should be noted that Algeria was the first country to condemn these events, expressing its full solidarity with the leadership of Niger.