Algeria: Sending fighter jets to support the army in Niger
Algiers, Aug 30 (KUNA) -- Algeria announced on Sunday the dispatch of fighter jets to support the military in Niger, which has witnessed attacks and a military rebellion targeting government facilities in the capital, Niamey. It added that this move came “in response to a request from the Niamey authorities.”
In a statement, the Algerian military said the decision was taken “in implementation of directives from President Abdelmadjid Tebboune aimed at strengthening strategic cooperation relations between Algeria and the Republic of Niger in various fields, particularly in the military domain.”
The statement added that “following the unfortunate events that occurred yesterday, Saturday, in the Nigerien capital Niamey in an attempt to destabilize the country, and in response to a request from the Nigerien leadership, Field Marshal Saïd Chengriha, the Minister-Delegate to the Minister of National Defense and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army, ordered the deployment of two (2) squadrons of Su-30 fighter jets (four aircraft) on a mission to support the Nigerien military in confronting the attempt to destabilize the sister state of Niger.”
It noted that “this operation reaffirms Algeria’s firm commitment and its resolve to continue its efforts to enhance security and stability in the region,” reiterating Algeria’s “ongoing support for the state of Niger, both government and people, to overcome this sensitive situation.”
It is worth noting that the Nigerien Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday that it was “gradually regaining control of the situation following a military rebellion, during which intense and intermittent gunfire targeted several strategic sites in the capital (Niamey).”
The Nigerien Ministry of Defense clarified in a statement broadcast on state television that “a group of rebel soldiers at military bases took action in the middle of the night from Saturday to Sunday, local time, to detain some colleagues inside Base 101 in Niamey and to fire on sensitive sites in the capital.” (End) M.R. / M.A.H.A.
