Pentagon: US and Russian troops stationed at the same base in Niger

According to RIA Novosti on May 7, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said that although the US and Russian militaries are stationed at the same military base in Niger, they are located far apart and do not interact.

"Both militaries are stationed in the same area, but it's a fairly large area, so US and Russian forces are not stationed close together," a US defense official said at a press briefing.

Mr. Ryder noted that each side's military has its own mission and focuses on its part. In addition, Russian military personnel do not have access to US equipment and resources and do not pose a threat to US troops. "As far as I know, there is no interaction between the two sides," Mr. Ryder said.

Earlier, a military source in the Niger Security Forces told RIA Novosti that Russian and US military forces were stationed at Air Force Base 101 in Niger. According to this source, the US side announced "increased combat readiness" due to its "proximity to Russia".

The US State Department has announced Washington's plan for dialogue with the Niger government on the withdrawal of troops from the country. This is the result of discussions between the US and the new Niger government since 2023 on future security cooperation. The number of US troops in Niger is about 1,100.

Also related to the withdrawal of US troops from Niger, a US military official said that Washington will redeploy about 60 soldiers to Germany to continue their mission.

Such moves mark the end and failure of America's neocolonial policy toward Africa, says former Pentagon analyst and retired US Air Force Lieutenant Karen Kwiatkowski.

On April 12, a delegation of Russian military experts arrived in Niger to train the local armed forces in the fight against terrorism./.