Russian Troops Move Into Air Base Housing US Forces, Whistleblower: US Not Heeding Call To Leave Country
Russian Troops Move Into Air Base Housing US Forces, Whistleblower: US Not Heeding Call To Leave Country
According to the Pentagon, the Russian soldiers are located in a compound separate from U.S. forces and have no access to U.S. military equipment.
NIGER - Although Russian troops have moved into an air base also housing U.S. forces, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said during a briefing that the Russian soldiers are located in a compound separate from U.S. forces and have no access to U.S. military equipment.
Air Base 101 in Niger is a Nigerian Air Force base, co-located with an international airport in the country’s capital of Niamey. Russian troops are not mingling with U.S. forces even though the Russian forces are located in a wing of the base close to where U.S. troops are stationed.
During a press conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, Austin said, “Air Base 101, where our forces [are], is a Nigerian Air Force base that is co-located with an international airport in the capital city. The Russians are in a separate compound and don't have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment.”
Austin added, “And this is something that, you know, again, I'm always focused on the safety and the protection of our troops, something that we'll continue to watch. But right now, I don't see a significant issue here in terms of our force protection”.
An official speaking to Reuters said that the situation “is not great but in the short-term manageable”.