Russian forces occupy part of US base in Niger amidst strategic tensions

Russians have taken over part of an American base in Niger, where US troops were still stationed. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin informed that the Russians are in a separate complex and do not have access to US forces or equipment.

A senior US defence official told Reuters that Russian military personnel entered an air base in Niger where American troops are stationed - as a consequence of the Nigerian junta's decision to expel US forces.

Military officers ruling Niger told the United States to withdraw their nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country, which until last year's coup had been a key partner for Washington in combating rebels who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.

A senior US defence official, who wished to remain anonymous, told Reuters that Russian forces do not mingle with the American soldiers but are using a separate hangar at Airbase 101, located next to the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The official said that the situation is not great, but it is manageable in the short term.

When asked, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin downplayed any risk to American soldiers or the possibility that Russian forces might get close to American military equipment.

Austin stated at a press conference in Honolulu that the Russians are in a separate complex and do not have access to US forces or their equipment. He emphasized that he is always focused on the safety and protection of the troops, but at that moment, he did not see a serious problem regarding their protection.

As an American official told Reuters, the Niger authorities informed President Joe Biden's administration that about 60 Russian soldiers will be in Niger. However, he could not verify this.

After the coup, the American military moved some of its forces in Niger from Airbase 101 to Airbase 201 in the city of Agadez. It was not immediately clear what American military equipment remained at Airbase 101.

The United States built Airbase 201 in central Niger at a cost of over £76 million. Since 2018, it has been used to attack Islamic State fighters and the Al-Qaeda-linked Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) with armed drones. Washington is concerned about Islamic fighters in the Sahel region, who may be able to flourish without the presence of American forces and intelligence capabilities.

The decision of Niger to withdraw American troops came after a meeting in Niamey in mid-March, when senior American officials expressed concerns, including the expected arrival of Russian forces and reports that Iran was seeking raw materials in the country, including uranium.

The official explained that although the US message to Nigerian officials was not an ultimatum, it became clear that American forces could not be at the base together with Russian forces. The official added that the Nigerian officials did not take it well.

A US General was sent to Niger to try to organize a professional and responsible withdrawal. While no decisions have been made about the future of American soldiers in Niger, the official said the plan is for them to return to their home bases of the US Africa Command, located in Germany.

Meanwhile, Russia is trying to strengthen relations with African countries. It presents itself as a friendly nation without colonial baggage on this continent.

For example, Mali has become one of Russia's closest allies in Africa in recent years, and mercenaries from the Wagner Group have been sent there to fight jihadist rebels.