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U.S. deploys Predator drones to Niger: official
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/02/23/u-s-deploys-predator-drones-to-niger-official/U.S. deploys Predator drones to Niger: official
By Agence France-Presse
Saturday, February 23, 2013 3:52 EST
The United States has deployed several Predator drones to Niger to fly surveillance missions in support of French forces in Mali, a US defense official said Friday.
The unarmed robotic aircraft are flying out of Niamey at a base with a 100-strong contingent of Air Force personnel, the defense official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
“Consistent with our partners in the region, this decision allows for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) operations within the region,” the defense official said.
President Barack Obama announced earlier on Friday that the US troops were sent to the West African country to provide “support for intelligence collection and will also facilitate intelligence sharing with French forces conducting operations in Mali, and with other partners in the region.”
unhappycamper comment: At a minimum. we are droning people in Mali, Niger, Kenya, Somalia, Yemen, Afghanistan (of course) and Pakistan (naturally).