[AnNahar] The US CIA is set to launch dronezaps against suspected Libya-based jihadists with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State
...formerly ISIS or ISIL, depending on your preference. Before that al-Qaeda in Iraq, as shaped by Abu Musab Zarqawi. They're very devout, committing every atrocity they can find in the Koran and inventing a few more. They fling Allah around with every other sentence, but to hear the pols talk they're not really Moslems....
group from a base in northeastern Niger, the New York Times
...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize...
reported.
Nigerien and US officials told the newspaper that Central Intelligence Agency operatives have been flying surveillance drones from a small airport in the town of Dirkou.
The airport has grown since February to include new runways and security posts, the Times reported late Sunday, citing satellite images.
Niger's Interior Minister Mohammed Bazoum acknowledged the drone presence, but gave few details, while Dirkou Mayor Boubakar Jerome said the drones have helped improve the town's security.
The move gives an expanded role to the CIA in dronezaps, a change carried out under President Donald Trump
...New York real estate developer, described by Dems as illiterate, racist, misogynistic, and what ever other unpleasant descriptions they can think of, elected by the rest of us as 45th President of the United States...
His predecessor, Barack Obama
That’s just how white folks will do you. ...
, had sought to put drone operations under military control, which is less secretive and more accountable than the CIA, the Times said.
The Pentagon operates a base in Niger's capital Niamey, some 800 miles southwest of Dirkou, from which it has launched lethal strikes against Libya-based jihadists, the Times reported.
Niger is one of several poor, fragile countries in the Sahel region
... North Africa's answer to the Pak tribal areas...
hit by jihadist unrest.
Libya, which shares a border with Niger, has been thrown into chaos since the ouster of strongman Moamer Qadaffy in October 2011. 
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