The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) has expressed solidarity with Niger after a group of soldiers carried out a mutinous attack in Niamey on Saturday.

The AES, an alliance of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, said it felt "betrayed" by the soldiers involved in the "destabilisation campaign" through attacks targeting Air Base 101 and other sensitive sites in Niamey.

However, in a statement, the bloc hailed "the bravery and professionalism of the loyalist republican forces" who thwarted the apparent coup attempt.

"The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) remains fully committed and mobilised alongside Niger, which shares its determination to continue the struggle for sovereignty and peace," the statement said.

Heavy exchanges

The AES called on the people of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to remain vigilant against "disinformation campaigns, manipulation of public opinion, and attempts to sow division that may accompany destabilisation efforts."

Niger's government said it was back in control after mutinous soldiers set off armed clashes in the capital Niamey, moving on the presidential palace and disrupting the state broadcaster. The soldiers’ exact motive was not immediately clear.

Diplomatic and security sources told AFP that members of Niger's presidential guard, helped by Russian forces, had recaptured the key Air Force Base 101, killing some of the mutineers after hours of heavy exchanges of fire.

Base 101, located within the international airport complex, is home to the headquarters of Russia's Africa Corps in Niamey.

‘Troops held hostage’

It is also the command of the unified force of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), of which Niger is a member with Burkina Faso and Mali.

When fighting broke out shortly after midnight, soldiers blocked access to the presidential palace and the national television station, Tele Sahel, which went off the air for just over an hour before being restored.

Niger's defence minister, General Salifou Mody, later on Saturday said on state television that a group of soldiers had held some troops hostage at a barracks in Niamey, opening fire at "certain sensitive sites" in the city, without specifying which ones.

Troops and security forces had quickly taken back control, he added, calling on local people to remain calm.

The airport and the nearby military base were targeted in January, while the airport and the Base 101 military facility came under attack again in June.