In a notable development, Russian military personnel have entered an air base in Niger that is currently hosting U.S. troops, according to a senior U.S. defense official speaking to Reuters. This move comes in the wake of Niger's junta decision to expel U.S. forces from the West African nation. The ruling military officers in Niger have demanded the withdrawal of nearly 1,000 U.S. military personnel from the country, which had been a significant partner for the United States in its fight against insurgents responsible for widespread death and displacement.

The senior U.S. defense official, who chose to remain anonymous, clarified that the Russian forces were not intermingling with U.S. troops but were utilizing a separate hangar at Airbase 101. This base is situated adjacent to Diori Hamani International Airport in Niger's capital, Niamey. The news of Russian military personnel's presence at the air base was first reported by Reuters, raising concerns about the proximity of U.S. and Russian troops, given the escalating acrimony between the two nations in both military and diplomatic realms due to the Ukrainian conflict.

The presence of Russian military personnel and the expulsion decision also bring to question the future of U.S. installations in Niger. However, the U.S. defense official remarked that the current situation was "manageable" despite not being ideal. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, when asked about the Reuters report, downplayed any imminent risk to American troops or the possibility of Russian troops coming into close contact with U.S. military equipment. Speaking at a press conference in Honolulu, Austin reassured that the Russian forces were situated in a separate compound without access to U.S. personnel or equipment.

As of yet, there has been no response from the Nigerien and Russian embassies in Washington regarding this development. It is worth noting that the U.S. and its allies have been compelled to withdraw troops from several African countries following coup d'états, as the ruling factions seek to distance themselves from Western governments. In addition to the expulsion decision in Niger, U.S. troops have recently left Chad, while French forces have been ousted from Mali and Burkina Faso.

Meanwhile, Russia has been actively seeking to reinforce ties with African nations, positioning itself as a friendly nation without the colonial baggage of Western powers. Mali, for instance, has become one of Russia's closest African allies with the deployment of the Wagner Group mercenary force to combat jihadist insurgents. The deteriorating relationship between Russia and the United States is primarily attributed to U.S. military and financial aid to Ukraine in its defensive efforts against invading Russian forces.

According to the U.S. defense official, Nigerien authorities informed President Joe Biden's administration that approximately 60 Russian military personnel would be present in Niger, although this number remains unverified. Following the coup, the U.S. military relocated some of its forces from Airbase 101 to Airbase 201 in Agadez, and it is unclear what U.S. military equipment remained at Airbase 101.

Airbase 201, constructed by the United States at a cost exceeding $100 million, was primarily utilized since 2018 to target Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) fighters using armed drones. The decision by Niger to request the removal of U.S. troops came after a meeting in mid-March in Niamey where senior U.S. officials expressed concerns about the arrival of Russian forces and reports of Iran seeking raw materials, including uranium, within the country.

While the U.S. message to Nigerien officials was not confrontational, it made clear that U.S. forces could not coexist with Russian forces on a military base. The Nigerien officials reportedly did not take this well. To facilitate a professional and responsible withdrawal, a two-star U.S. general has been dispatched to Niger. While the future status of U.S. troops in Niger remains undetermined, the plan is for them to return to their home bases in Germany under the U.S. Africa Command.