The U.S. says it is investing at least $50m in a military air base in Republic of Niger, that will be capable of deploying drones to help fast track the anti-terror war.
Although the U.S. already has a presence in the capital Niamey.
MQ-9 Reaper drones are stationed there where it shares an airbase with France’s anti-Islamist force, Operation Barkhane.
The new facility in the central city of Agadez, will however give Washington greater ability to use drones against Islamist extremists in neighboring countries like Libya, Mali and Nigeria.
A spokeswoman for the Pentagon, Michelle Baldanza, confirmed the U.S. had agreed to pay for a new runway and “associated pavements, facilities and infrastructure”.
War Against Terror
U.S. has taken war against terror to a greater height after several attack by Islamic terrorist groups on the United States World Trade Centre.
It has provided support to Nigeria in the area of military officials training and equipment in the war against Boko Haram terrorists in the nation’s northeast and areas bordering Niger.