🇷🇺 Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that is hosting U.S. troops, a senior U.S. defense told Reuters, a move that follows a decision by 🇳🇪 Niger's junta to expel U.S. forces from the country.

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 hanger at Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger's capital.

The move by Russia's military 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.

It also raises questions about the fate of U.S. installations in the country following a withdrawal.

"(The situation) is not great but in the short-term manageable," the official said.

The Nigerien and Russian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. and its allies have been forced to move troops out of a number of African countries following coups that brought to power groups eager to distance themselves from Western governments. In addition to the impending departure from Niger, U.S. troops have also left Chad in recent days, while French forces have been kicked out of Mali and Burkina Faso.

At the same time, Russia is seeking to strengthen relations with African nations, pitching Moscow as a friendly country with no colonial baggage in the continent.

Mali, for example, has in recent years become one of Russia's closest African allies, with the Wagner Group mercenary force deploying there to fight jihadist insurgents.

Russia has described relations with the United States as "below zero" because of U.S. military and financial aid for Ukraine in the war now approaching the end of its second year.

The U.S. official said Nigerien authorities had told President Joe Biden's administration that about 60 Russian military personnel would be in Niger, but the official could not verify that number.

After the coup, the U.S. 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 U.S. military equipment remained at Airbase 101.

Credit: Reuters

👍🏻 Like for Russia-Putin, share for USA/Nazi/NATO 卍

Some of these Small small African country just want the russia president to push them into fire.

Okay , no enmity is total enough when survival is key

You can't claim to be the strongest military on Earth if nobody is scared of you or you haven't won a war since the 19th century.

This US is just overrated
Russians and china whr busy going into more engineering ans discovery
The US was busy debatin on abortion LGTQ or rubbish,sponsorin terrorism
See USA as of now cannot dear

🇷🇺
🇨🇳
Even this turkiyie
Both in military and technology as at now
Even biden say that their structures are now ranked 13th in the world
Fighter jets dey crash up and down
Pass ukraine and russia combined 2geda
The only good thin about US is that
They will help u fullfill ur dream life if only u are ready
Everything is put in place over there

Russia must bow 4 GREAT AMERICAN?

Tensions everywhere, the two worst rivals

Putin !

Don't worry, there will be another military coup that will chase them out like the have done to France, abi?

With the vast area of land in Niger.why the close proximity.

BTW, USA any day anytime twice on Sunday. The amount of money Nigerians in US repatriate home is humongous. Na dem dey save us from hunger in naija. I LOVE USA

The hopeless clueless and worthless gullible muslims pitching Russia against the west is taught world politics, they think it is Nigeria were the meaningless religion dictates how their brain sends electric pulses through their neurones.

I keep telling them islam played them dirty, they should actually be applying penis enlargement cream on their brain but they keep playing with their brains believing the wordings of a nymphomaniac paedophile, waiting for one Mahdi that will kill us the infidels just the wey they murdered Deborah in Sokoto, na same idiotic principle hamas go price Israel but Israel told them that when Grandpa cries for blood, Orders ceases to Be orders.

Idiotic bastards.


I saw one islamic idiot even seeing how they were snapping selfies, he thinks these guys have the dumb skull of the fake arse dumb skull mohammed.

Nwaokunkpara:
I wonder why people don't see anything wrong with the US

I want to ask you one very simple honest cheap question that needs a frank honourable honest cheap Yes or No, which if you don't answer thunder will fire your mama and papa combined and if you are a muslim, Mohammed go collect stray bullet.

If the US gives you green card, will you reject it?

People watch top Notch hypocrisy manifest but thunder just dey dey laugh cos food don ready.

Time for peace

They don't really care about us.


MJ sang it and the meaning is unfolding.

Is it in Africa they want to come and fight the fight again?

US and Russia did worse during the cold war.

These two countries behave like women. They'll just threaten and shout at each other but wouldn't fight and get it over with.

Na their way. Very soon, Russian foreign minister would visit the US.

This will destabilized Nigeria .. why they station at our back

Until when will Africa take her destiny in her hands. Africa cannot continue to depend on imperialists.

They want no good for Africa.

But I'm happy Mother Russia is not taking it easy with wicked US

Jostoman:
Some of these Small small African country just want the russia president to push them into fire.

I'm telling you

..As if Rusia sends them

Russia will play the same game the Americas and the French played in West Africa
My people are still not wise

If Putin dies the next leader no go send all these African countries. Next will be civil wars. Mumu people

They have to share the stage

I would want to understand the politics of Niger, why they are so strategic despite not having much. They are not the only country with lithium and uranium.

Russia does not need ur natural resources but France and America.

Africa needs Russia now than ever.

So what's all the hassling for

I wonder why people don't see anything wrong with the US