Niger Military repels internal insurgent attack on presidential palace

Niger’s presidential guard repelled an attempted attack by “insurgents from within the armed forces” on the presidential palace in Niamey early Saturday, a security source told AFP, according to Channels Television.

Heavy gunfire and explosions were heard overnight near the palace and Base 101 at the airport, home to Russian military partners. State television was briefly cut before resuming.

The military urged calm, saying security forces were mobilized. Niger’s junta, in power since 2023, has faced repeated jihadist attacks this year from rival groups EIS and JNIM.