{"id":83119,"date":"2017-12-01T17:16:03","date_gmt":"2017-12-01T17:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2017\/12\/01\/us-official-niger-oks-armed-drones-for-takeoff-from-its-capital\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:38:37","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:38:37","slug":"us-official-niger-oks-armed-drones-for-takeoff-from-its-capital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/flashpoints\/2017\/12\/01\/us-official-niger-oks-armed-drones-for-takeoff-from-its-capital\/","title":{"rendered":"US official: Niger OKs armed drones for takeoff from its capital"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 A U.S. official says the Pentagon has received permission from the government of Niger to begin flying armed drones from the capital, Niamey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The arrangement, which has not been publicly announced, reflects an expanding U.S. military campaign against extremists in Africa and is based on a recently signed U.S.-Nigerien memorandum of understanding. It was first reported by The New York Times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. official says armed drone flights could begin as early as next week or at least by the end of December. The arrangement limits the drones to defensive missions. The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and so spoke on condition of anonymity.<\/p>\n\n\n\t