US plans to set up a base for drones in Northwest Africa

An analyst says Washington's military plans to set up a base for US drones in Northwest Africa coincide with Africa's 'increased significance as a supplier of oil, natural gas and other vital resources.'

The comment comes as US officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said on Monday that the US military command in Africa (AFRICOM) is preparing plans to establish a base for unmanned aircraft, which would likely be located in western Niger, in order to increase its spying operations in the region.

The officials also said the base would be used for flying reconnaissance drones only, though they have not ruled out conducting missile strikes at some point in the future.

Press TV has conducted an interview with Emira Woods, co-director of Foreign Policy in Focus Think Tank in Washington to further discuss the issue.

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