U.S. Troops Have Been Involved In More Firefights In Niger Than Previously Revealed

Nigerien Army soldiers conducting an exercise last month. After four American soldiers were killed in an October ambush, the United States imposed additional safety measures to protect troops on missions helping local forces in Niger. But the missions did not end. Credit Finbarr O'Reilly for The New York Times

New York Times: U.S. Kept Silent About Its Role in Another Firefight in Niger

WASHINGTON — Green Berets working with government forces in Niger killed 11 Islamic State militants in a firefight in December, the American military acknowledged for the first time on Wednesday. The battle occurred two months after four United States soldiers died in an ambush in another part of Niger — and after senior commanders had imposed stricter limits on military missions in the West African country.

No American or Nigerien forces were harmed in the December gun battle. But the combat — along with at least 10 other previously unreported attacks on American troops in West Africa between 2015 and 2017 — indicates that the deadly Oct. 4 ambush was not an isolated episode in a nation where the United States is building a major drone base.

After the ambush, senior officers at United States Africa Command, which oversees American military operations on the continent, imposed additional measures to enhance the safety of troops on missions that were designed to train and advise local forces in Niger.

But the missions did not end.

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Update: US Special Forces troops previously killed 11 ISIS fighters in an undisclosed firefight in Niger (Business Insider)

WNU Editor:  I'm sure Niger is not the only place where these firefights have happened.