Russian troops enter a US air base in Niger

Russian troops entered the air base in Niger, where American troops are stationed.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine with reference to Reuters.

An anonymous senior U.S. defense official told the publication that Russian troops had entered the air base in Niger, where U.S. troops are stationed. This was allegedly the result of the Niger junta's decision to expel American troops from the country.

Officers in charge of the West African country have asked the United States to withdraw nearly 1,000 troops from the country, which until last year's coup was Washington's key partner in the fight against insurgents who killed thousands of people and forced millions to flee their homes.

Now it has become known that Russian troops are not mixing with American troops, but are using a separate hangar at Air Base 101, which is located next to the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

The move by the Russian military puts U.S. and Russian troops in close proximity at a time when military and diplomatic rivalry between the countries is becoming increasingly fierce over the conflict in Ukraine.

The United States and its allies have been forced to withdraw from a number of African countries following coups that brought to power groups seeking to distance themselves from Western governments.

In addition to the upcoming withdrawal from Niger, U.S. troops have also left Chad in recent days, while French troops have been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 03/05/2024