U.S Troops Told To Stay Alert After Russian Forces Moved In Niger Base (Photos)
Biden administration officials are increasingly worried that rogue Russian soldiers in Niger will take actions to antagonize U.S. troops in the country, forcing the U.S. to respond and have ordered all US personnel to remain alert.
They’re concerned that the Russian soldiers — who are stationed at the same air base as American troops in the capital of Niamey — will engage in disruptive behavior such as driving aggressively or harassing U.S. troops at checkpoints, according to two officials familiar with Western intelligence.
The intelligence, they stressed, shows that Russian soldiers pose no immediate threat to the U.S. troops. But even small hostile encounters would increase the risk of a confrontation that could result in an exchange of fire.
The officials, and others, were granted anonymity to speak freely about sensitive intelligence.
U.S. troops are making preparations to leave Niger, but do not have specific dates by which they need to leave, a Defense Department official said.
Skirmishes between U.S. and Russian troops in Niger would significantly escalate tensions between the two countries at a time when their relationship is increasingly strained over the war in Ukraine. The last time U.S. and Russian troops were stationed in such close proximity in Syria, the two sides engaged in an intense firefight that threatened to pull the two sides into a direct conflict.
There are between 60 and 100 Russians in Niamey, said the first DOD official.
The Russian forces are in Niamey to train and advise the Nigerien armed forces. One of the two U.S. officials said the Russians are expected to help the Nigerien soldiers train on air defenses.
The Pentagon is confident in its force protection measures and assesses the Russian troops are not looking to clash with Americans. But DOD officials are concerned that the Russian forces could also try to gather intelligence on the American capabilities.
“The concern is more along the lines of intel. Obviously they are eyes on the ground and they have the ability to monitor,” said a second DOD official. “We obviously don’t love that they are there, but it’s not our country.”
U.S. officials tried to work out a deal with the country’s military junta that would allow them to stay in the country, pushing its leaders to agree to a roadmap that would eventually lead to a return to democratic rule. While U.S. officials are still attempting to negotiate, the junta has so far refused to agree to those terms and pulled in Russian paramilitaries to help train its troops and provide arms.
