May 3, 2024,02:50am EDT
Russian military personnel arrived at an airbase in Niger’s capital Niamey on Thursday, where some U.S. troops are stationed amidst an ongoing withdrawal of American forces from the country, confirmed Pentagon authorities.
KEY FACTS
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, speaking to reporters in Honolulu, acknowledged the presence of Russian personnel at Niamey’s Airbase 101 but downplayed the possibility of interaction with U.S. troops. Austin clarified that the Russians are located in a separate compound and do not have access to U.S. forces or equipment. While maintaining focus on the safety of U.S. troops, Austin stated that he does not perceive a significant issue regarding force protection. An unnamed senior Defense Department official, as cited by Reuters, described the situation as “not great but in the short-term manageable.” According to the Associated Press, the Russian personnel at Airbase 101 are trainers who began arriving in the country three weeks ago following the order for all U.S. forces to depart issued by Niger’s military junta.
KEY BACKGROUND
Niger’s military junta seized power last year after ousting President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup. Bazoum, a crucial Western ally, had facilitated a substantial U.S. military presence in the Sahel region of Africa, prompted by concerns over Islamic militant groups with ties to al-Qaida and the Islamic State. Following their rise to power, the junta and its supporters opposed Western military presence on their soil while expressing solidarity with Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. After discussions with U.S. diplomats in March, the junta declared that U.S. military presence in Niger was no longer warranted. Last month, the U.S. agreed to withdraw its forces from the country.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR Approximately 1,000 U.S. troops remain in Niger, with the majority stationed at Airbase 201 near the city of Agadez—over 500 miles away from Niamey. The Pentagon has not disclosed a precise timeframe for completing the withdrawal. The fate of U.S. equipment and installations in Niger also remains uncertain.