Dozens of soldiers arrested after apparent coup attempt in Niger’s capital

BREAKING: Dozens of soldiers arrested after an apparent coup attempt in Niger's capital, Niamey, following a day of unrest seen as a major threat to the ruling military junta.

A coup attempt against a junta that itself took power in a coup. That's Niger tonight.

State television says dozens of soldiers have been arrested in the capital, Niamey, after what's being described as an attempted coup. It followed a full day of unrest in the city, and it's being read as the most serious threat yet to the ruling military government. These pictures show soldiers gathered in a courtyard in Niamey during the unrest.

Remember the context here. This junta seized power itself, so the men now running Niger know exactly how fragile a government held by soldiers can be. When your own barracks turn on you, arrests buy you time, not loyalty.

The Sahel has seen coup after coup in recent years, and each one makes the next more thinkable. Dozens of soldiers are in custody tonight, and the junta that arrested them knows better than anyone how this story can end.

This is Kateryna Kovalenko, reporting for HIT.