Russian trainers, US troops housed in same base in Niger

As U.S. troops prepare to leave Niger, they are currently sharing Airbase 101 in Niamey with Russian trainers. The U.S. Secretary of Defense confirmed the reports from Honolulu, Hawaii, on May 2nd. Airbase 101, a Nigerien Air Force facility co-located with an international airport in the capital, also hosts other international troops, including Germans. According to the defense secretary, the Russian trainers are housed in a separate compound with no access to U.S. forces or their equipment, ensuring troop safety.

Niger has seen weeks of protests demanding the withdrawal of U.S. forces, and talks between Washington and Niamey began in late April regarding the removal of U.S. troops stationed at two airbases in the country. Although the Pentagon has confirmed plans to withdraw, a precise timeline has not been provided.

Most U.S. troops in Niger have already moved from Niamey to Airbase 201 near Agadez, approximately 920 kilometers (550 miles) from the capital. This base has been crucial for U.S. counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, including manned and unmanned surveillance flights. The U.S. has invested heavily in training Niger’s military since it began operations there in 2013, with over 1,000 troops stationed in the country as of last year.

In addition to repositioning troops within Niger, the U.S. is also relocating forces to neighboring Chad, though this is described as a temporary measure. Chad is reconsidering its security agreement with the U.S., with discussions set to resume after Chad’s May 6th presidential election. This repositioning comes after the Nigerien junta turned to Russia’s Wagner Group for security assistance following the ousting of Niger’s democratically elected president last July.