Tebboune Details Fighter Jet Deployment to Thwart Niger Coup
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune recently provided a detailed explanation for Algeria's decision to dispatch fighter jets to Niger in late August, characterizing the military action as a direct response to an attempted coup and "provocations" against Algeria. In excerpts from an interview with local media, President Tebboune affirmed a policy of reciprocity, stating, "Œil pour œil" (an eye for an eye) and indicating a readiness for direct confrontation. He specified that the jets were sent because "some went too far," though the precise parties he referenced were not identified.
The Algerian Ministry of Defense had previously announced on August 30 the dispatch of four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to Niamey, aimed at supporting the Nigerien army following the developments in the country. This deployment occurred shortly after Nigerien Prime Minister Mohamed Lamine Zeine visited Algeria on August 26 and 27, returning to his country before the coup attempt unfolded on the night of August 28-29. Nigerien Defense Minister Salifou Mody confirmed that during this period, a group of military personnel attempted to detain colleagues at Air Base 101 in Niamey and fired at strategic locations within the capital. Security forces subsequently intervened to contain the situation and regain control.
Algeria and Niger maintain strong security and military relations, sharing an extensive land border. For Algeria, the stability of the Sahel region is considered an essential component of its national security. The timing of the coup attempt, immediately following high-level diplomatic engagement, further prompted Algeria's decisive action to reinforce regional stability and demonstrate its firm stance on sovereign defense.
