A Pentagon official said that Russian troops have been stationed at one base in Niger with members of the US military, until the United States withdraws its units from the African country.
The US State Department has announced its intention to start dialogue with the Nigerien authorities regarding the withdrawal of its forces from Niger, after ongoing negotiations since 2023 on continued security cooperation.
The Pentagon official told Novosti: “Russian forces arrived at Air Base 101 several weeks ago, and the Russians are staying in a separate compound and do not have access to the American army, installations or equipment.”
The official explained that the Pentagon is monitoring the situation and taking all necessary and reasonable measures to ensure the safety of US forces, facilities, and equipment.
He noted that the troops are stationed at Air Force Base 101 of the Niger Air Force, near the international airport of Niger’s capital, Niamey.
A U.S. military official said Wednesday that the United States had repatriated about 60 military personnel to Germany as part of the troop withdrawal from Niger.
Britain’s Financial Times newspaper said the US decision to withdraw its troops from Niger was another strategic victory for Russia.
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