Mali and Burkina Faso deployed fighter jets in their territories in case member countries of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) decided to attack Niger, shortly after Ouagadougou reaffirmed support for army in Niamey, the state-run Niger TV reported.
The TV, monitored in Algeria, showed footages of the warplanes in case of a military action by ECOWAS against Niger.
"In addition to deployment of warplanes, officers from the armies of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger held a meeting in the capital Niamey to coordinate efforts to confront any possible military intervention by ECOWAS," said the TV.
Leader of the military council in Burkina Faso Ibrahim Traore reiterated warning against any military action against Niger because it "will be a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali." This intervention, he added, would trigger withdrawal of Burkina Faso and Mali from ECOWAS, as well as supporting the armed forces in Niger.
Burkina Faso's Defense Minister Kassoum Coulibaly reaffirmed, earlier on Saturday, backing to Niger's junta in response to a potential military intervention by ECOWAS.
"Burkina Faso is monitoring the 'aggression' as the military command will support Niger," the minister said in media remarks.
ECOWAS agreed on Friday to activate a standby force as a last resort if diplomatic efforts fail in Niger.
Nigerien military officers deposed President Mohammad Bazoum on July 26 and have defied calls from the United Nations, ECOWAS and others to reinstate him.
Bazoum was the first Arab president of the Niger. He was elected in 2021.
Algeria meanwhile expressed dismay that violence outweighed the political solution in Niger.
The Algerian foreign ministry said "while signs of military intervention were visible, Algeria regrets the use of violence instead of the political solution and negotiations, which would reinstate the constitutional and democratic system peacefully in this neighboring country.
"History of the region is full of lessons that military interventions will entail problems more than solutions, and they contributed to further confrontations instead of stability and security," it added in a statement.
Source: Kuwait News Agency