Russian, US forces deployed in same military base in Niger

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
3 May 2024 09:05
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Russian forces training local Nigerien forces have been staying in the same military base as US troops but on separate compounds.

French soldiers disembark from a US Air Force C130 cargo plane at Niamey, Niger base, on June 9, 2021. (AP)

Russian and US forces are stationed on different compounds in the same military base in Niger, with no access to one another, Sputnik reported, citing a US official.

"The Russians are housed in a separate compound and do not have access to US forces, spaces, or equipment," the official said, adding that the US continues "to monitor the situation and to take all necessary and prudent measures to ensure the security of US forces, facilities, and equipment."

According to the official, Russian troops arrived at the Nigerien Air Base 101 which is located at the international Nigerien airport, a few weeks ago.

On April 12, a correspondent from Sputnik revealed that Russian experts landed in Niger to train local forces on combating terrorism.

"Now, the African corps here will be building relationships and jointly forming and training the Nigerien army. We have brought with us a training and material base to train various specialists. We have a lot of experience in combating terrorism. And we are here to share this experience with our friends," one of the specialists said.

US agrees to pull troops from key drone base in Niger

The United States agreed to withdraw its over 1,000 troops from Niger, altering its stance in West Africa, where the country had a significant drone base.

According to US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to AFP, Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell agreed to the troop withdrawal during a meeting in Washington with the prime minister of the transitional government, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine.

They reached an agreement for a US delegation to travel to the capital Niamey within days to facilitate an orderly withdrawal. Earlier, Nigerien state television had announced that the US officials would visit next week.

This comes after a US Air Force military official in Niger filed a complaint to Congress requesting an investigation into the activities of US embassy staff in the country. Additionally, a segment in the document filed by the officer included a request for assistance in withdrawing military personnel from the country.