WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon said Thursday that it has not restarted counterterrorism operations in Niger, a day after the head of U.S. airpower for Europe and Africa said those flights had resumed.
Gen. James Hecker, responding to a question from The Associated Press at a security conference Wednesday, said the U.S. military has been able to resume some manned aircraft and drone counterterrorism operations in Niger.
In the weeks since, the approximately 1,100 U.S. forces deployed there have been confined inside their military bases.
And we’re able to do some of our surveillance operations primarily for force protection in the area.
The bases are a critical part of America’s overall counterterrorism efforts in West Africa.
Persons:
James Hecker, Sabrina Singh, “, ”, Robert Firman, Hecker, ” Hecker
Organizations:
WASHINGTON, Pentagon, Associated Press, U.S ., Nigerien, Department, Atlantic Council, State Department
Locations:
Niger, Europe, Africa, U.S, Niamey, Niger’s, West Africa