WASHINGTON, MAY 4    :    US officials are becoming concerned that the presence of Russian soldiers on the same base housing American forces in Niger could lead to a miscalculated clash between both sides, Politico reported on Friday, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Although the United States assesses that Russian soldiers pose no immediate threat to American personnel on base, US officials worry that even a small hostile encounter could increase the risk of a confrontation that could result in an exchange of fire between the two sides, the report said.

US officials worry that the Russian fighters will harass US troops at checkpoints, the report added.

US defence officials are also concerned that the Russian forces on base could try to gather intelligence on American capabilities, the report said.

On Thursday, a US official told Sputnik that Russian forces are being housed on the same base in Niger but in a separate compound with no access to US forces until the withdrawal of the contingent of the United States from the country.

There are an estimated 1,100 US personnel in Niger. Washington and Niamey have recently begun discussions for the “orderly withdrawal” of US servicepeople based in Niger. The military pullout was initiated in March after a Nigerien military spokesperson said the country’s transitional government, which took power in a coup in July 2023, had terminated the military agreement with the US with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people.(UNI)