Niger says it has crushed a mutiny by elite special forces

Niger's military government says it has put down a mutiny that could have seriously threatened its rule, with loyalist forces, backed by Russian allies, retaking a military base near Niamey's international airport after hours of fighting. Officials describe the mutineers, mainly young officers from elite special forces who had travelled from the frontline regions of Tillaberi and Dosso, as rogue soldiers acting out of discontent. The rebellion exposed strain within an army stretched thin by fighting ISIL and al-Qaeda-linked groups on multiple fronts. Critics like Omar al-Ansari link the unrest to a shift of power toward the Presidential Guard while frontline troops are under-resourced, calling for a return to constitutional order. Pro-junta voices, including Ibrahim Boubacar, blame external enemies trying to sow division. Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.io/AJEMobile #Niger #Niamey #Tchiani #WestAfrica #Sahel #MilitaryMutiny #Russia #NigerJunta #AlJazeera #AlJazeeraEnglish