U.S. Department of Defense announcements or credible news reports

Russian Troops Enter Niger Base, U.S. Reacts: Plans Ivory Coast Base

May 2, 2024, 07:40 PM

Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that hosts U.S. troops, following a decision by Niger's pro-Russian junta to expel U.S. forces from the country. A senior U.S. defense official reported that Russian forces are using a separate hangar at Airbase 101 and are not mingling with U.S. troops. In response, the U.S. is accelerating plans to establish a forward operating base in Ivory Coast after the official departure from Base 201 in Niger in mid-April.