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Pentagon to Open Drone Base in Niger: Reports

© Photo : David B. GleasonThe Pentagon has reached an agreement with the government of Niger to install a drone base in the latter’s territory
The Pentagon has reached an agreement with the government of Niger to install a drone base in the latter’s territory - Sputnik International
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The Pentagon has reached an agreement with the government of Niger to install a drone base in the latter’s territory, the Washington Post reports.

MOSCOW, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - The Pentagon has reached an agreement with the government of Niger to install a drone base in the latter’s territory, the Washington Post reports.

The base will enable the Pentagon to track Islamist fighters who have destabilized parts of North and West Africa, The Washington Post reported Monday referring to officials in Niger and the US.

The decision is a result of months of negotiations between Washington and Niger. The deal was agreed on August 7 when Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou gave his consent to the creation of the Agadez drone base during a meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work and Army Gen. David Rodriguez, the leader of Africa Command.

The drone base is estimated to cost between $5 million to $10 million, The Washington Post reports.

Africa Command spokesman Benjamin Benson said to the Washington News the operation is still underway and refused to say how many drones or US military personnel will be sent to Agadez.

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