Russian troops have no access to US troops in Niger: US Secretary of Defense

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Thursday there is “no significant problem” with the protection of US troops in Niger.

“The Russians are in a separate compound and have no access to American forces or to our equipment,” Austin said at a news conference after meeting with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines in Honolulu, Hawaii.

His comments came after reports that Russian forces had invaded an air base in Niger’s capital Niamey, where American soldiers are stationed.

“I am always focused on the safety and protection of our troops, which is something we will continue to look at. But at the moment I don’t see a significant problem here in terms of our force protection,” he added.

The US and Niger are discussing plans to withdraw American troops from the West African country.

Niger terminated its long-standing military agreement with Washington in early March this year, declaring the presence of all US troops and contractors “illegal” because “the agreement was not democratically approved and imposes unfavorable conditions on Niger, particularly in terms of a lack to transparency on military matters’. activities,” said Nigerien government spokesman Amadou Abdramane.

The US has about 1,100 troops in Niger.