Russians sent to Niger airbase occupied by US troops - BBC News

The Russians are said to be sharing a wing of Niger's main airport, but not mingling with US troops.

3 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsSahel Islamist insurgencyImage source, EPAImage caption, Supporters of the coup have taken to the streets with anti-US messagesBy Paulin KolaBBC NewsRussian troops have been deployed to an airbase in Niger where American soldiers are located, US officials say.

The move comes after Niger's military rulers ordered the US to withdraw troops who had been countering Islamic insurgents in the region.

Russian forces were present at the base in Niger's capital Niamey, but were not mingling with American troops, US officials told the Reuters news agency.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said 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.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-68949809

---