Added
lunes, 23 de abril de 2018
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Níger
On the scorching edge of the Sahara Desert,
the U.S. Air Force is building a base for armed drones, the newest front
in America's battle against the growing extremist threat in Africa's
vast Sahel region.
Three hangars and the first
layers of a runway command a sandy, barren field. Niger Air Base 201 is
expected to be functional early next year. The base, a few miles outside
Agadez and built at the request of Niger's government, will eventually
house fighter jets and MQ-9 drones transferred from the capital Niamey.
The drones, with surveillance and added striking capabilities, will have
a range enabling them to reach a number of West and North African
countries.
Few knew of the American
military's presence in this desperately poor, remote West African
country until October, when an ambush by Islamic State group-linked
extremists killed four U.S. soldiers and five Nigeriens.
The $110 million project is
the largest troop labor construction project in U.S. history, according
to Air Force officials. It will cost $15 million annually to operate.
By JG with
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