Russian troops enter base housing US military in Niger, US official says

[DemMedic]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON, May 2 (Reuters) - Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that is hosting U.S. troops, a senior U.S. defense official told Reuters, a move that follows a decision by Niger's junta to expel U.S. forces.

The military officers ruling the West African nation have told the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country, which until a coup last year had been a key partner for Washington's fight against insurgents who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.

A senior U.S. defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Russian forces were not mingling with U.S. troops but were using a separate hangar at Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger's capital.
The move by Russia's military, which Reuters was the first to report, puts U.S. and Russian troops in close proximity at a time when the nations' military and diplomatic rivalry is increasingly acrimonious over the conflict in Ukraine.



Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/russian-troops-enter-base-housing-us-military-niger-us-official-says-2024-05-02/

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This could get crazy.

[Lovie777]

1. US military is packing up and bringing home pertinent documents and equipment...........

they are abiding by the wishes of Niger's government. As to Russia, it's all about optics and beating their chest.

The adults in the room is the USA.

[sanatanadharma]

2. The colonists in Niger will be Russian

Russia is expansive in Africa.
Africa has been a consistent colonial goal for centuries, and still is.
China wants Africa as a market.
Russia wants Africa as empire.

[Irish_Dem]

4. China has had military in Africa for decades.

[obamanut2012]

5. China has been in Africa for many decades, after the US and Europe shrugged and left

[Irish_Dem]

3. US Air Force personnel are not trained as ground combat troops.

No contest if up against Russian army or marines.

[maxsolomon]

6. It's going to be fine.

The Junta doesn't want the US nagging them about their Coup and that bothersome Democracy.