Niger says it 's agreed to let U.S. drones operate from its territory . The United States has been flying surveillance missions over the region for years, but they have not had any success in stopping militants who are believed to be hiding out among nomadic Tuareg tribes and other ethnic groups U.S. official says intelligence-gathering in that part of Africa is a challenge .
Niger says it 's agreed to let U.S. drones operate from its territory . Niger is near Mali , where French troops joined the fight against Islamic rebels . U.S. official says intelligence-gathering in that part of Africa is a challenge .