In a significant development, the U.S. military has resumed counterterrorism missions in Niger, marking its commitment to fighting terrorism in the region despite the political upheaval caused by a coup. This move also signals a willingness to collaborate with the new military junta in Niger.
The heart of this disruption revolves around “Nigérien Air Base 201,” a strategically vital installation valued at $110 million. It boasts a 6,200-foot runway tailored to accommodate MQ-9 Reapers and manned aircraft, playing a central role in the U.S.’s counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.
Since the coup in July, approximately 1,100 U.S. forces stationed in the country had been confined within their bases. Recently, the Pentagon announced the relocation of some military personnel and assets from the air base near Niamey, Niger’s capital, to another in Agadez, a city approximately 920 kilometers away. Interestingly, this troop movement coincided with Burkina Faso, Niger’s southwestern neighbor and a supporter of the coup, deploying its military units in Niger. This action came in response to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) threat to restore democracy in Niger.
However, in recent weeks, after a slight pause in flight operations, some intelligence and surveillance missions have been able to resume through U.S. negotiations with the junta, according to General James Hecker, the top Air Force commander for Europe and Africa. Hecker noted that while not all missions have resumed, “a large amount of missions that we were doing before” are back on track.
These missions include manned and unmanned flights, which have resumed “within the last couple of weeks.” Nevertheless, the considerable distance between the two bases poses challenges, limiting the duration of missions due to fuel constraints.
The U.S. has established Niger as its primary regional outpost for armed drone patrols and counterterror operations against Islamic extremist groups. These bases are pivotal components of America’s broader counterterrorism initiatives in West Africa.
Additionally, the U.S. has invested significant resources in training Nigerien forces. In 2018, it started arming its fleet of MQ-9 Drones stationed in Niger, which have the capability to strike targets across West and North African countries.
Meanwhile, Niger’s military leaders have called for the departure of French military forces from the country, further complicating the regional security landscape. France, which maintains approximately 1,500 soldiers in Niger, is seen as supportive of the ousted President Bazoum. Paris has labeled the coup and its officials as illegitimate, raising speculation about a potential French military withdrawal.
The United States had previously warned the Niger junta in August, stating that it might consider military intervention if the country’s military rulers did not return to constitutional order. This warning prompted a response from Russia, cautioning against military intervention by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), emphasizing that it could lead to a protracted confrontation and further destabilize the Sahel region.
The situation in Niger remains highly dynamic, with geopolitical interests, counterterrorism objectives, and regional tensions intersecting in a complex and evolving landscape.