<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidsC9AuTvywDOC" />US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday (May 2) that Russian troops have taken over an airbase in Niger which houses US&nbsp;troops&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per media reports, Niger has handed over Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani international airport in the capital Niamey, to the Russian troops after asking US troops to leave the nation in March this year.</p>

<p>USA’s&nbsp;1,000 troops served as a&nbsp;key&nbsp;ally to previous civilian government and played a crucial role in combating jihadists in West Africa. But power centres radically shifted last June when a pro-Russia military junta ousted the civilian government.</p>

<p>Speaking to Reuters a&nbsp;senior US official said that&nbsp;Russians were not interacting with their US counterparts and&nbsp;staying&nbsp;in a separate hangar at the airbase.</p>

<p>“[The situation] is not great but, in the short-term, manageable,”&nbsp;the US official said.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;South Africa Elections: Jacob Zuma's comeback overshadows ANC's campaign</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-africa-elections-jacob-zumas-comeback-overshadows-ancs-campaign-715589/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Austin on Thursday said in a press conference that Russians are staying in a separate compound and they&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;have access to US troops, implying that their close proximity was not a threat.</p>

<p>“Airbase 101 where our forces [are], is a Nigerien air force base that is co-located with an international airport in the capital city. The Russians are in a separate compound and&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;have access to US forces or access to our equipment,”&nbsp;Austin told a news conference in Honolulu.</p>

<p>“I’m&nbsp;always focused on the safety and protection of our troops, [and it is] something that&nbsp;we’ll&nbsp;continue to watch,”&nbsp;he further said.</p>

<p>“But right now, I&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection,”&nbsp;Austin added.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjA-tD36vGFAxX41zgGHVg5DkIQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/endangered-hippos-trapped-in-dried-ponds-amid-african-drought-715583" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/endangered-hippos-trapped-in-dried-ponds-amid-african-drought-715583&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjA-tD36vGFAxX41zgGHVg5DkIQxfQBKAB6BAgLEAE">Endangered hippos trapped in dried ponds amid African drought</a></strong></p>

<p>The US and its allies have&nbsp;been forced&nbsp;to withdraw troops from various African&nbsp;nations,&nbsp;due to recent coups and ensuing power shifts. Along with the impending departure from Niger, US forces have already left Chad, while French troops have&nbsp;been expelled&nbsp;from Mali and Burkina Faso.</p>

<p>On the other hand, Russia is actively striving to build ties with African countries, presenting Moscow as a non-colonial, friendly nation. Mali, for instance, has evolved into one of&nbsp;Russia's&nbsp;most significant African allies, with the deployment of the Wagner mercenary group to combat jihadist insurgents.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday (May 2) that Russian troops have taken over an airbase in Niger which houses US troops As per media reports, Niger has handed over Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani international airport in the capital Niamey, to the Russian troops after asking US troops to leave the nation in March this year.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday (May 2) that Russian troops have taken over an airbase in Niger which houses US troops As per media reports, Niger has handed over Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani international airport in the capital Niamey, to the Russian troops after asking US troops to leave the nation in March this year. USA’s 1,000 troops served as a key ally to previous civilian government and played a crucial role in combating jihadists in West Africa. But power centres radically shifted last June when a pro-Russia military junta ousted the civilian government. Speaking to Reuters a senior US official said that Russians were not interacting with their US counterparts and staying in a separate hangar at the airbase. “[The situation] is not great but, in the short-term, manageable,” the US official said. Watch: South Africa Elections: Jacob Zuma's comeback overshadows ANC's campaign × Austin on Thursday said in a press conference that Russians are staying in a separate compound and they don’t have access to US troops, implying that their close proximity was not a threat. “Airbase 101 where our forces [are], is a Nigerien air force base that is co-located with an international airport in the capital city. The Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to US forces or access to our equipment,” Austin told a news conference in Honolulu. “I’m always focused on the safety and protection of our troops, [and it is] something that we’ll continue to watch,” he further said. “But right now, I don’t see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection,” Austin added. Also read: Endangered hippos trapped in dried ponds amid African drought The US and its allies have been forced to withdraw troops from various African nations, due to recent coups and ensuing power shifts. Along with the impending departure from Niger, US forces have already left Chad, while French troops have been expelled from Mali and Burkina Faso. On the other hand, Russia is actively striving to build ties with African countries, presenting Moscow as a non-colonial, friendly nation. Mali, for instance, has evolved into one of Russia's most significant African allies, with the deployment of the Wagner mercenary group to combat jihadist insurgents. (With inputs from agencies)

Russian troops take over airbase in Niger where 1,000 US troops are deployed

niger-airbase

Niger Airbase, News on Niger Airbase, stories on Niger Airbase, articles on Niger Airbase, Niger Airbase stories at Wion, Niger Airbase news, Niger Airbase latest news

niger airbase

Russian troops take over airbase in Niger where 1,000 US troops are deployed