The U.S. is reducing troops and expanding drone activity in Africa as it begins launching drones from a new remote base in Niger. The Pentagon has underscored that their 800 personnel in Niger are there to train Nigerien forces and armed only in defense of ambushes, one of which resulted in the deaths of four U.S. soldiers. Some have accused the U.S. of mission creep in the area following the death of these soldiers, as the fight against jihadis has not been marked by widespread success.
Source: Shadowy U.S. Drone War in Africa Set to Expand – Foreign Policy
