Algeria confirms warplanes intervened in Niger to stop coup attempt

Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune confirmed that warplanes flew to Niger in late August to stop what he called a "coup attempt." The confirmation appeared in partial excerpts from an interview with local media, released ahead of the full broadcast on Saturday.

Tebboune explained the move by stating that certain parties had "gone too far." He did not clarify if he meant internal rebels or outside forces. Instead, he noted that Niger's Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine was in Algiers and returned home at night just before the violence began. Tebboune called this timing a provocation. "For obvious reasons," he said, "this is a provocation against us … and I too will send planes and we'll meet head-on."

Gunfire and explosions rocked Niamey overnight on August 28 into August 29. Renegade soldiers struck the Diori Hamani International Airport first. They then hit the state broadcaster and the presidential palace. General Salifou Modi, Niger's Minister of Defence, announced that troops tried to detain colleagues at Air Base 101 before opening fire on key spots in the capital. Security forces intervened and gradually took back control of those locations.

On August 30, Algeria's Ministry of Defence stated it had sent four fighter jets following the unrest. Two patrols of four Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft landed at Niamey airport with an air-to-air refuelling plane in tow. The ministry said Nigerien authorities requested the deployment for a mission to support their army against attempts to destabilize the "brotherly state."

Niger's military government has accused France of orchestrating the failed mutiny, but Paris denies any role in its former colony. Algeria and Niger share deep security ties along a long land border. Algiers views Sahel stability as essential to its own national security. Prime Minister Zeine met President Tebboune during his visit from August 26–27, when he led a high-level delegation aimed at boosting cooperation between the two nations.

The situation remains tense. Neighbors watch closely. A failed uprising can ripple outward quickly.