What Are US Special Forces Doing in Niger?

What Are US Special Forces Doing in Niger?

The deaths of three Green Berets in Niger on Wednesday—along with those of several Nigerien soldiers—is raising questions about the US mission in the African country, reports the Washington Post.

The incident, involving what are believed to be the first hostile-fire casualties in the country for US troops, took place 120 miles north of the capital of Niamey near Niger's border with Mali. An official tells CNN that US forces were ambushed by as many as 50 ISIS fighters, though earlier reports suggested they met with al-Qaeda militants.

Reuters reports they may have fallen victim to a "trap." So why are they there? A rep for US Africa Command says "US forces are in Niger to provide training and security assistance to the Nigerien Armed Forces, including support for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance efforts," in the battle against extremists.

How sad for the families. It sounds like the USA is doing a good thing here? I don't know, I'm completely green about the whole subject but found it interesting.

According to the Post, 800 US personnel are in Niger, with most involved in the gathering of reconnaissance from Niamey.

Kenneth McKenzie, director of the Pentagon's Joint Staff, stressed that the overall mission in Niger wasn't considered combat.

So the article goes on to say the soldiers were killed during a 'training exercise' very close to where the jihadist groups are active.

But then goes on to say:

He concludes that "the US seems to be getting closer and closer to combat operations," per the Post.

War everywhere. Dear Lord, I'm so sick of it.

peace

a reply to: silo13

sounds like the USA is doing a good thing

Have you actually ever taken the time to review history and in particular what the U.S. does to other countries around the globe

a reply to: silo13

One of the biggest components of the Army Special Forces job is what's known as "foreign internal defense." In theory that means Special Forces will deploy to a "host nation" (in this case it's Niger) and work with their military and government to help train and educate them on military operations, typically meaning counter-insurgency type stuff.

In practice, that means there's Americans going out on patrol to help "train" the locals. What the Americans do on that patrol can range from simply making sure they don't get lost because somebody forgot how to read a map, all the way up to direct combat operations.

ETA - FWIW the American military has had a pretty sustained presence in multiple countries in Africa for many years now.

a reply to: Zcustosmorum

Yes.

And if the USA is in Africa rooting out and killing ISIL?

MORE POWER TO THEM!

peace

a reply to: silo13

ISIS and Al-Qaeda are the excuses for anything combat related so it seems...

a reply to: Shamrock6

Thank you. Very interesting add to the thread.

But a question - because I said and I will again I'm very green about these tpyes of things.

So the question - IfF they happen upon a ISIL group are they able to initiate combate?

peace

a reply to: silo13

Officially, they're there as trainers, and are supposed to have a limited to non-existent combat role. The reality is that they do occasionally engage in combat, going out with the troops they're equipping and training. They also have UAVs and ISR assets in multiple countries as well as an F-15E squadron that's been in Djibouti for 15+ years.

I don't know about Niger specifically, but the US has been trying to help squash Boko Haram and similar groups.

a reply to: silo13

In theory (again) that decision would be up to the host nation and local commanders.

In practice (again) the Berets would "advise" whatever course of action they felt was prudent, and that "advice" would probably weigh heavily on what happened. Whether that "advice" was to initiate contact, track, back off, whatever, would be influenced by factors on the ground.

originally posted by: silo13
a reply to: Zcustosmorum

Yes.

And if the USA is in Africa rooting out and killing ISIL?

MORE POWER TO THEM!

peace

I somehow doubt it

a reply to: silo13

sick of what exactly, if other nations desire our assistance then what is so bad about that? should we do nothing and ignore potential problems that threaten to destabilize nations when we have the power to do something about it?

maybe we can't fix everything and sometimes our actions backfire but if we turn our backs like cowards the world will turn against us and turn friendship into hatred and they will come to desire what we have out of jealousy and they will try to destroy us to take its.

cowards get stamped out and nobody ever sides with them and many friends even the closest friends will turn against them, and maybe people hate us but at least the majority understand how much our actions are needed and they respect us for the good things we do.

a reply to: silo13

Does it has something to do with the fact Niger is rich in minerals?

a reply to: silo13

Good topic and thanks for sharing.

As to what are they doing there? The answer it would seem is indirectly given in your source where it states "near Niger's border with Mali".

Mali is suffering its own insurgency (think back to the serious assault on Timbuktu). Add Boko Haram, Al Qaeda and various others into the mix and you have a sudden urgent need for some form of intervention.

originally posted by: starwarsisreal
a reply to: silo13

Does it has something to do with the fact Niger is rich in minerals.

It certainly is in terms of Uranium as it has about 40% of Africa's total deposits - which may also go some way to explaining another need for intervention.

a reply to: starwarsisreal

and american companies barely have a presence in most of these countries that are rich in oil, minerals, etc and besides that the United States is a top 5 producer and our production is still growing in most every resource needed for modern industry so why would we need to invade nations for any of those resources...

a reply to: silo13

"What are US special forces doing in Niger?"

Probably what they do best. Destabilizing the government of a sovereign nation.

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
a reply to: silo13

sounds like the USA is doing a good thing

Have you actually ever taken the time to review history and in particular what the U.S. does to other countries around the globe

Have you actually ever taken the time to review history and in particular what islam does to other countries around the globe:?

humanitarian

You need only to research the influx of Chinese interests in Africa and that should tell you everything you need to know.

Same ol' playbook every time.

Iraq = oil, etc.
Afghanistan = minerals, pipelines, etc.
Iran = pipeline, etc.
Africa = Uranium, minerals, ports, etc.

And the list goes on and on..

The sooner folks realize that ISIS, ISIL, al Qaeda, and the rest of the "boogeymen" are merely reasons/distractions to go after corporate interests in foreign lands the better.

I refuse to believe as smart and as highly trained the USSOCOM personnel are that they don't have knowledge or are completely oblivious to what it is they ACTUALLY do for a living.

a reply to: silo13

a friend of mine was going to mali to volunteer. I remember telling them we had special forces in the area so stay safe.. That must have been like 5 years ago now. Mali is right next door to niger if im not mistaken.

Its not lost that we have forces in like 165 countries is it? Somewhere in that ballpark and there are something like 195 countries in the world so ya know..

SF guys are like train the locals to fight so we dont have to.. So I imagine that's what they are up to over there.