U.S. base in Kyrgyzstan officially closes
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 3 June 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. base in Kyrgyzstan officially closes, 3 June 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/53b280749.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 03, 2014
The United States has officially closed the Manas air base it has used in Kyrgyzstan, more than one month before the lease on the base was due to expire.
At a ceremony on June 3 to hand over a symbolic "key" to the base to Kyrgyz officials, base commander Colonel John Millard said some 5.5 million troops had passed through Manas in its more than 12 years in service.
U.S. Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan Pamela Spratlen said on June 3 that the last service personnel at the Manas transit center would depart this week.
U.S. troops have been using the Manas base since December 2001 to support operations in nearby Afghanistan.
The presence of U.S. troops at Manas has irritated China, which borders Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, which views Central Asia as its sphere of influence.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, Interfax, and Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
