The United States is donating $21 million (19 million euros) of military equipment to Niger help fight jihadism in the Sahel region, an American diplomatic told AFP on Tuesday.

The Americans have already handed over dozens of armoured vehicles, radio systems and armoured containers, US ambassador Eric Whitaker said, adding that more would arrive by February 2020 -- including a military transport plane.

Niger takes part in a five-nation anti-jihadist task force known as the G5, set up in 2014 with Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania and Chad.

Jihadist militants operate on Niger's northern borders with Mali and Libya and its southeastern border with Nigeria is plagued by from the Boko Haram group.

Washington has increased its military presence in Niger since signing a military agreement in 2015 promising to "work together on the fight against terrorism".

The United States runs a massive base for drones in the northern city of Agadez, giving it a platform for surveillance in the Sahel.

In October 2017, four US soldiers and five Nigerien soldiers were killed in a jihadist ambush in Tongo Tongo, a village near the Mali frontier.

Related Links
The Long War - Doctrine and Application

Tweet

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

Saudi military training in US under scrutiny after base attack
Washington (AFP) Dec 9, 2019
Key US lawmakers called Sunday for a halt to a Saudi military training program after a shooting rampage at a naval base in Florida in which a Saudi officer killed three American sailors. US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said he has ordered a review of vetting procedures while defending the training program that brought Mohammed Alshamrani to Pensacola Naval Air Station. Alshamrani, a 21-year-old second lieutenant in the Saudi Royal Air Force, opened fire in a classroom on Friday, killing the thre ... read more