Officials acknowledge that American and Russian soldiers are living side by side in Niger

May 3 (UPI) — U.S. troops and the Russian military have been operating almost side by side in the African country of Niger for weeks as tensions rise over the fight against Islamic extremists in the region, officials said Friday.

American and Russian soldiers are in separate hangars at Air Base 101 in Niger, near the country’s capital Niamey.

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The United States has had a presence in Niger for about a decade, fighting Islamic State’s influence, but a 2023 coup has left it out of favor with the country’s new leaders.

In turn, the ruling junta has increasingly called on Russia to help fight Islamic extremists by handing over parts of its vast military air base to its forces.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged the complicated living conditions with Russian troops in Niger during a press conference in Hawaii on Thursday.

“I think you know that Air Base 101, where our armed forces (are), is a Nigerian air base located next to an international airport in the capital,” Lloyd said in response to a question.

“The Russians are in a separate compound and have no access to American troops or access to our equipment. “I am always focused on the safety and protection of our troops (and is) something we will continue to monitor.

“But right now I don’t see a significant problem here in terms of our force protection.”

Dmitry Peskov, the longtime spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, confirmed that Russian troops were at the airport on Friday, adding, according to The Guardian, that Moscow was “developing ties with several African countries in all areas, including military ones . “

March meetings with Michael Langley, commander of U.S. Africa Command and assistant defense sect. Celeste Wallander led to the orderly withdrawal of the United States from the country. The United States left Chad last month after being ordered to leave.