Algeria gifts Niger 4 military helicopters

Niger's military has received four military helicopters and other equipment gifted by Algeria, airport and security sources told AFP on Tuesday.

Arriving in the Nigerien capital Niamey on Sunday, the shipment included four attack and transport helicopters, spare parts, maintenance equipment and ammunition, an airport source said.

Niger's air force chief of staff, General Salifou Mainassara, formally received the donation on Monday at a ceremony attended by Algerian military officials, a security source said.

The delivery comes as Algeria and Niger strengthen security ties after moving earlier this year to repair relations that had been strained for months following Algeria's downing last April of a drone from Mali.

The incident triggered a diplomatic row, with Niger joining fellow junta-led allies Mali and Burkina Faso in recalling its ambassador from Algiers.

In February, Niger's military ruler General Abdourahamane Tiani and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune met in Algiers to relaunch ties.

The following month, the neighbours, which share a 960-kilometre (600-mile) desert border, agreed to deepen cooperation against jihadist violence, cross-border crime and trafficking.

Niger faces persistent attacks by jihadist groups, including in areas near its border with Algeria.

Algeria in June also inaugurated a 40-megawatt power plant intended to supply electricity to Niamey and surrounding areas.