Post by Origanalist on Dec 1, 2017 6:44:23 GMT -8
Armed US drones to start flying combat missions over Niger – reports
(I feel like I've already posted this)
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Armed American drones will soon begin flying over Niger following approval of their use by the West African nation. The move marks a significant expansion of the US military’s footprint in this part of Africa, where its reach has so far been limited.
The government of Niger has permitted the Pentagon to operate armed drones out of the country’s capital, Niamey, defense officials said on Thursday, according to the New York Times. The newspaper cited a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week by the US African Command (AFRICOM) and the West African nation.
The memorandum calls for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be armed by the AFRICOM initially. The drones will eventually be re-deployed to a Nigerien air base in Agadez, along with 500 US troops.
Previous media reports indicated that Niger had requested the deployment of armed US drones in a bid to wipe out Boko Haram and other jihadist groups operating on its border with Mali, but it was unknown that an agreement had been reached. Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed US official also said that permission for the use of armed drones had been granted earlier this week, but the capability had not yet been put to use.
A spokeswoman for the Pentagon declined to disclose specific details of the drone deployment.
Continued www.rt.com/document/5a20ead9fc7e9372438b4568/amp/411534-us-armed-drones-niger
(I feel like I've already posted this)
Armed American drones will soon begin flying over Niger following approval of their use by the West African nation. The move marks a significant expansion of the US military’s footprint in this part of Africa, where its reach has so far been limited.
The government of Niger has permitted the Pentagon to operate armed drones out of the country’s capital, Niamey, defense officials said on Thursday, according to the New York Times. The newspaper cited a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this week by the US African Command (AFRICOM) and the West African nation.
The memorandum calls for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to be armed by the AFRICOM initially. The drones will eventually be re-deployed to a Nigerien air base in Agadez, along with 500 US troops.
Previous media reports indicated that Niger had requested the deployment of armed US drones in a bid to wipe out Boko Haram and other jihadist groups operating on its border with Mali, but it was unknown that an agreement had been reached. Speaking to Reuters, an unnamed US official also said that permission for the use of armed drones had been granted earlier this week, but the capability had not yet been put to use.
A spokeswoman for the Pentagon declined to disclose specific details of the drone deployment.
Continued www.rt.com/document/5a20ead9fc7e9372438b4568/amp/411534-us-armed-drones-niger