File photo of U.S. air base in Niger
Russian military specialists, invited by the Nigerièn government, were moved into Airbase 101 near Niamey, where a small number of US troops still remain. Washington has announced its decision to accede to the demands of the country’s military leadership and withdraw its 1,000-strong contingent, presently deployed at Airport 201 base in Agadez.
▪️The US has had two military bases in Niger, called Air Base 101 and Air Base 201. Reports say it has also maintained non-permanent footprint in Arlit, Dirkou, Diffa, and Ouallam.
▪️This permanent military presence of the American forces in Niger is the outcome of a deal with the country signed in 2013 to operate military drones from an airbase near Niamey. In 2014 the US struck a deal to open a second drone base in the country as part of its war on terror.
▪️The US Nigerien Air Base 201 is located 5 km southeast of Agadez. It was leased from the Nigerièn government for a period of 10 years. The agreement expires in 2024.
▪️The installation cost $110 million, but, according to reports, its price tag allegedly reached $280 million by 2024. It cost $30 million per year to operate and maintain the base.
▪️Air Base 201 boasts a 1,890-meter runway for MQ-9 Reapers and manned aircraft. According to the Pentagon the base was used for anti-terror and surveillance operations. Drone operations began at the site in 2019.
▪️In September 2022 Pentagon released a report indicating that despite its substantial military presence in Africa it had not reached any of its objectives over the past two decades in degrading and disrupting violent extremist and terrorist organisations in the continent.
Culled from Sputnik International
