The United States is building a drone base in Niger’s Sahara desert to help in the battle against extremists in the Sahel region.
The Niger Air Base 201 under construction a few miles outside Agadez already has three hangars and the first layers of a runway, reports VOA.
The drones can survey and strike several West and North African countries with their wider range. The project cost $110 million and according to Air Force officials, it is the largest troop labour construction project in U.S. history, reports VOA.
The report added that it will cost $15 million annually to operate the base which is the second largest U.S. military presence in Africa behind the only U.S. base in Djibouti.
Niger hosts about 800 U.S. military personnel with 500 of them working at the new base against Djibouti’s 4,000 personnel.
Last year, four U.S. soldiers and five Nigeriens were ambushed and killed by extremists linked to the Islamic State group. This brought to light the unknown military presence in the country which is in the middle of an Islamist insurgency war.
The U.S. said the drones at the base will target the several affiliated al-Qaeda and Islamic State groups in the Sahel countries including the Lake Chad region which is battling with the spread of Nigeria’s Boko Haram insurgency.
Local Nigerian officials and civil society have expressed concern about the increased U.S. military presence in their country.
“We are afraid of falling back into the same situation as in Afghanistan, with many mistakes made by American soldiers who did not always know the difference between a wedding ceremony and a training of terrorist groups,” said Amadou Roufai, a Nigerien administration official.
For civic leader Nouhou Mahamadou who spoke to the VOA: “The presence of foreign bases in general and American in particular is a serious surrender of our sovereignty and a serious attack on the morale of the Nigerien military.”
Commander Brad Harbaugh, who is in charge of the new base assured that the drones will gather intelligence that can be used by Niger and other U.S. partners to prosecute extremists.
source: https://face2faceafrica.com/article/u-s-builds-military-base-in-the-sahara-desert-for-armed-drones
Categories: Africa, America, Americas, United States
Those who has a knowledge or technology, Allah exalt them up in some degree. Q.5.58
Allah bless America with knowledge, peace and prosperity
All love ❤️
Peace? It seems America’s ‘peace’ is only for themselves. War is for ‘export’ … How many wars did the Americans start? How many wars did Iran start? wake up and be honest.
Rafiq— you are in Lombok now?
Rafiq— why do you do hate America, Do not you know and realize that thiusand and thousand Ahmadiya Muslim live and enjoy in US— do not you appreciate US ?
Hatred is the seed of evil, conflict and unhappiness
Love is the seed of paece, happiness and prosperity.
Whereas the symbol of Ahmadiyya is — Love for all and hatred for none-
You should apply this excellent symbol to reality of your life. Am I wrong?
US went to other country just to protect the minority of victims or Liberty. And also to prevent conflict or war.
All love ❤️
Yes, I am in Lombok now. Are you going to book my guest room through AirBnB now?
If I can visit Lombok we can discuss many issue face to face— it will be fun.
Wait and see a good time insya Allah
All❤️
I do not hate America! I have many American relatives (old and new). I am for ‘equal justice for all’. On the other hand Somi is blind in one eye. Somi always blames only one side. If you think that the US went to other countries just to protect the minority of victims or for Liberty, I feel sorry for you that you are so blind to the real motives of intervention. Anyway, you are a real American. Totally uninformed of the reality ‘out there’. (I have seen it).
As you know that US constitution is “the justice for all”
No doubt at all about US.
We always stand for Justice for All— Rafiq?
❤️
you are blind. even in the USA justice is not for all. Ask the Afro-American population. And abroad? US justice? should be posted under ‘laughter is the best medicine’.
Rafiq— you have to be able to differ between people who carry on the law and the US constitution,the law of land.
Similarity between Islamic teaching and Muslim. Not all Muslim follow Allah’s law rightly and properly.
Do you follow your Khalifah’s advice 100 percent
as his follower?
If President US make a mistake, people will correct and adminish him. No one perfect even Prophets.
All ❤️
Thank you for finally accepting that the US President(s) do / are making mistakes. Slowly slowly you are coming closer to ‘justice for all’.