washington government niger approve use arm american drone u.s. official say thursday expand u.s. ability target militants region reuters already report niger seek arm u.s drone jihadist group operate border mali previously report agreement reach ambush niger kill four u.s. soldier october throw spotlight u.s. counterterrorism mission west african country u.s. official speak condition anonymity say permission drone grant early week capability yet use begin small u.s. train operation expand 800-strong force accompany nigeriens intelligence gather missions include 100 million drone base central nigerien city agadez present deploy surveillance drone u.s. force direct combat mission niger assistance military include intelligence surveillance reconnaissance efforts target violent islamist organizations niger approve use arm american drone u.s. official