Reports emerging from Niger say the U.S. is making precautionary plans to evacuate two key drone and counter-terror bases in Niger if that becomes necessary under the West African nation’s new ruling junta, the Air Force commander for Africa said Friday.
In a move that seems a preparation for the imminent, the US is making plans to evacuate its drone bases in the country, anticipating this order as the junta has asked French soldiers to get out of the country.
The U.S military runs a drone base in the country. Known as “Nigerien Air Base 201,” the installation cost $110 million to build and it features a 6,200-foot runway for MQ-9 Reapers as well as manned aircraft. The U.S. military began conducting drone flights from the base in November 2019.
ducting drone flights from the base in November 2019.About 1,100 U.S. troops are currently deployed to Niger, according to the Defense Department.
Until the recent military takeover, the country was an important partner in the U.S. military’s efforts to counter the Islamic State group and other terrorist organizations in Africa. However, security experts say that such huge investments have not been able to prevent the growth and spread of the Jihadist insurgency in the country.
