Niger Gives Permission To U.S. To Arm Its Drones Flying From Its Territory

Pentagon officials say the U.S. military and the Nigerien government have agreed that the U.S. can fly armed unmanned aerial vehicles from its base in Niger, reports the Stars and Stripes.

Washington has been flying unarmed MQ-9 Reapers from an airbase in the Nigerien capital of Niamey.

Under the agreement reached last week, armed Reapers could begin to fly within days, the New York Times said on Nov. 30.

The armed drones will give U.S. forces in western Africa increased...