Russian military personnel who arrived in Niger have been at the 101st American airbase for several weeks now. This is reported by CNN citing Pentagon sources.
According to the sources, the Russian armed forces use a separate hangar at the military base and do not operate in the same place as the Americans. But according to one of the sources, the area of the military base is “not that big”.
Michael Langley, the commander of US forces in Africa, and Celeste Wolander, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, visited Niger in March and expressed concern about Russia’s increased military presence in the country. According to CNN, they also raised questions about the future of the 101st Air Base and whether it will be transferred to the Russian military.
“The meeting was tense, officials said, and just days later, Niger announced it was suspending an agreement that had allowed US military and civilian personnel to work in the country since 2014,” the publication said.
The Pentagon confirmed to CNN that it is currently working with Nigerien officials on an orderly withdrawal of troops.
Niger’s military junta, which in 2023 seized power as a result of the July coup, announced that he wants the withdrawal of American troops from the country. CNN notes that US officials are concerned that Niger, which has served as an important base for US counter-terrorism operations, is turning to Russia.
