Brief
Algeria dispatched fighter jets to Niger amid late‑August mutiny, president says
Algeria flew four Sukhoi Su‑30 fighters to Niger after mutineers targeted the airport, broadcaster and presidential palace in late August.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune told local media that Algiers deployed four Sukhoi Su‑30 fighter jets to Niamey in late August to help thwart a coup attempt that saw mutineers fire on Diori Hamani International Airport, the state broadcaster and the presidential palace.
What happened
On August 28‑29, sustained gunfire and explosions were reported in Niamey. Mutineers first struck the airport’s Air Base 101, then the broadcaster and the presidential palace. Niger’s defence minister, General Salifou Modi, said the rebels tried to detain colleagues before opening fire on strategic locations. By August 30, Algerian officials announced that two patrols of four Su‑30 aircraft, accompanied by an air‑to‑air refuelling plane, had landed at the airport.
What the reports add
The Algerian Ministry of Defence said the jets were sent at the request of Nigerien authorities on “a mission to support the Nigerien army in confronting an attempt to destabilise the brotherly state of Niger.” Tebboune added that “some parties had gone too far,” without specifying who he meant.
What was said
“For obvious reasons, this is a provocation against us … and I too will send planes and we’ll meet head‑on,” Tebboune told the outlet, according to Al Jazeera.
How it came about
The deployment follows long‑standing security ties between Algeria and Niger and Algeria’s concern over Sahel stability.
Key facts
- Algeria sent four Sukhoi Su‑30 fighter jets to Niger in late August 2026. (aljazeera.com)
- The jets arrived after mutineers attacked Niamey's airport, state broadcaster and presidential palace on August 28‑29. (aljazeera.com)
- President Abdelmadjid Tebboune said the deployment was to thwart a coup attempt. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Algeria sent fighter jets to Niger to thwart ‘coup attempt’, president says”
