Russian troops have entered an airbase in the Republic of the Niger that is hosting U.S. troops, a move that follows a decision by Republic’s junta to expel U.S.’ forces.

Reuters reported on this with reference to a senior U.S. defense official.

The military officers currently in power in the Republic of the Niger have told the United States to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. Until recently, the Republic of the Niger was a key partner of the United States in the fight against insurgency in the region.

A senior U.S. defense official told the publication on condition of anonymity that Russian forces then entered the U.S. base.

According to him, Russian forces were not mingling with U.S. troops but were using a separate hangar at Airbase 101, which is next to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Republic’s capital.

A U.S. official said that the Republic’s authorities had informed the U.S. presidential administration that about 60 Russian military personnel would be in the Republic of the Niger, but the official could not confirm this information.

Air Base 101 was used by the U.S. military primarily as a deployment point for heavy attack drones, including the MQ-9 Reaper. However, after the coup, the military moved some of its forces to Air Base 201 in the city of Agadez, so it is unknown what equipment remained in Niamey.

Asked about the Reuters report, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin played down any risk to American troops or the chance that Russian troops might get close to U.S. military hardware.

“Russians are in a separate compound and don’t have access to U.S. forces or access to our equipment. I’m always focused on the safety and protection of our troops … But right now, I don’t see a significant issue here in terms of our forces protection,” Austin said.

Withdrawal of troops from the Republic of the Niger

The Republic leadership decision to withdraw U.S. troops followed a meeting in Niamey in mid-March, where senior U.S. officials expressed concern over the arrival of Russian troops and reports that Iran was seeking raw materials in the country, including uranium.

The source said that the US leadership had made it clear that U.S. forces could not be on a base with Russian forces. A two-star U.S. general has been sent to the Republic of the Niger to try and arrange a professional and responsible withdrawal.

While no decisions have been taken on the future of U.S. troops in the Republic of the Niger, the official said the plan was for them to return to U.S. Africa Command’s home bases, located in Germany.