President Obama: U.S. Troops Deployed To Niger

Obama Deploys Drones, US Military Personnel To Niger -- NBC

President Barack Obama has deployed American military personnel and drone aircraft to the African country of Niger, where they could be used to support a French counterterrorism mission in neighboring Mali.

Defense Department officials told NBC News that a first wave will include two Raptor surveillance drones and 250 to 300 military personnel, including remote pilots and security and maintenance crews. They are expected to arrive soon.

The officials stressed that the drones are meant for surveillance only. The White House has faced criticism for a legal memo concluding that the U.S. government can use drones to kill American citizens overseas in certain cases.

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More News On U.S. Soldiers being Sent To Niger

U.S. troops arrive in Niger to set up drone base -- Washington Post
Obama tells Congress U.S. military personnel arrive in Niger -- Reuters
U.S. Sends Limited Troops To Niger; Will Assist In Intelligence-Gathering -- NPR
Obama says 100 US military personnel deployed to African nation of Niger -- Washington Post/AP
Obama orders more U.S. forces to Niger -- Washington Times
100 US Troops Are Setting Up Near Mali To Support French Fighters -- Business Insider
Mali conflict: US deploys 100 troops to neighbour Niger -- BBC
US deploys troops to Niger -- RT

My Comment: No public debate. No discussion. U.S. forces are now being sent to Niger to monitor .... and I am willing to wager .... launch drone strikes and (maybe) ground operations and islamic radicals in the region.

Niger Agrees To Host U.S. Drone Base

US Signs Deal With Niger To Operate Military Drones In West African State -- The Guardian

Mali Islamists' war reveals paucity of west's intelligence on Sahel and Sahara but Pentagon's move could backfire, analysts warn.

The US government appears close to opening a new front in its fight against Islamist militants by planning a new base for surveillance drones in the west African country of Niger.

American forces are already assisting a French offensive in neighbouring Mali that is aimed at recapturing the country's northern desert territory from the hands of Islamist rebels.

But on Monday the US signed a military agreement with Niger that paves the way legally for US forces to operate on its soil and prompted a series of reports in the US media that the Pentagon was keen on opening a new drones base there.

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More News On The US Establishing A Drone Base In Northwest Africa

Niger gives green light to U.S. drone deployment: source -- Reuters
U.S. to establish military presence next to Mali -- CNN
U.S. Drone Base In Africa Approved By Niger -- Huffington Post
U.S. plans to add drone base in West Africa -- Washington Post
Official: U.S. Military Plans Drone Base Near Mali -- Defense News/AFP
US to establish new drone base in northwest Africa: officials -- Global Post
Planned US Drone Base Near Mali Marks Latest American Expansion In Africa -- Business Insider
U.S. wants Africa drone base -- UPI
U.S. to build drone base in Africa to combat terrorists: report -- Xinhuanet
US planning for new drone base in Northwest Africa, officials say -- FOX News
Official: US considers setting up drone base in North Africa, Niger a strong possibility -- Washington Post/AP
US Military Plans Drone Base in Northwest Africa -- Voice of America
US considering new drone base in Africa - report -- RT
U.S. likely to establish new drone base in northwest Africa -- Salon
DOD eyes potential drone base in Africa -- Politico
U.S. Drone Base Would Make Africa the New Home of the War on Terror -- The Atlantic