Russian troops deployed to an airbase in Niger

• Russian forces are present at the base in Niamey but are not interacting with American troops.
• Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the Russians pose no “risk” to US forces.
• Reports indicate that the Russians, identified as military trainers, are occupying a wing near a contingent of US troops.

According to US officials, Russian troops have been deployed to an airbase in Niger where American soldiers are stationed. The deployment follows an order from Niger’s military rulers demanding the withdrawal of US troops who had been combating Islamic insurgents in the region. US officials informed the Reuters news agency that Russian forces were present at the base in Niger’s capital Niamey but were not interacting with American troops.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that the Russians posed no “risk” to US forces.

“The Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to US forces or access to our equipment,” Mr Austin told journalists in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“I’m always focused on the safety and protection of our troops… But right now, I don’t see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection,” the defense secretary added.

Situated in Africa’s Sahel region, Niger is considered the new global epicenter of the Islamic State group. The US has depended on the country as its primary base for monitoring regional jihadist activity, but its relations with the ruling military regime have worsened since condemning last year’s coup. Consequently, Niger has sought assistance from Russia in combating Islamist insurgents in the south of the country.

Reports state that the Russians deployed to Airbase 101 at Niger’s international airport in Niamey are identified as military trainers. They reportedly occupy a wing close to a contingent of US troops. Earlier this year, officials in Niger informed the US that approximately 60 Russian troops would deploy to the country. The accuracy of that figure today remains unclear.

It is also uncertain how many American troops remain at Airbase 101. Most of the US troops in Niger are reportedly located at a drone base in the central city of Agadez, approximately 750km (460 miles) northeast of Niamey. Relations between the US and Russia have sharply deteriorated since President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with the US leading Western efforts to supply weapons to the Ukrainians.

However, Paul Melly, a West Africa analyst at the Chatham House think tank, states that he sees no prospect of confrontation between US and Russian troops. Mr. Melly informed the news that the Americans had made considerable efforts to remain in Niger, but the country’s military leadership had rejected their attempts to link their security assistance to a timetable for returning to civilian rule.

“For the junta, the attraction of the Russians is that they make no demands about governance and democratic rules,” Mr Melly said.

In March, Niger issued an order for all US troops to depart from the country. Military spokesperson Col. Amadou Abdramane accused the US of raising objections about the allies that Niger had chosen. Mr. Melly stated that there was no evidence indicating that the Russians had been urging Niger – or Mali and Burkina Faso – to expel Western forces, but they were taking advantage of the situation. He added that it remained unclear what contribution the Russians would make to Niger’s security. The head of the US Africa Command informed the BBC that the US is eager to remain engaged with Niger – as well as Chad.

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