About 500 personnel are working on the new air and drone base and the base camp is marked with an American and Nigerien flag. Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance are crucial in the fight against extremism, US Africa Command spokeswoman Samantha Reho said. Some in Niger welcome the growing US military presence in the face of a growing extremist threat in the region. Threats include al-Qaida-linked fighters in Mali and Burkina Faso, Islamic State group-affiliated fighters in Niger, Mali and Nigeria and the Nigeria-based Boko Haram. The focus is changing to advising and assisting local partners higher up the chain of command, said US Special Command Africa commander Maj. Gen. Marcus Hicks.

Source: Egypt Independent April 23, 2018 09:00 UTC