3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 30
Summary
Explosions at Niamey’s airport and gunfire near the presidential palace erupted Saturday as renegade soldiers struck the palace, the capital airport and Air Base 101, throwing Niger’s junta into confusion.
Air Base 101 — a strategic base hosting Russian mercenaries and some Italian forces — was among the targets, while the Defense Ministry said it was still unclear who led the assault or what they wanted.
Abdourahmane Tchiani, the general who seized power in the 2023 coup, was believed to be inside the palace early Sunday, and presidential guards were thought to have regained control of the airport.
Analysts said the scale of the fighting suggested members of Niger’s special forces may have been involved, underscoring strains inside a military government already facing repeated militant attacks on the airport this summer.