Manas transit center to close on July 11, 2014

The Manas transit center in Kyrgyzstan will be closed on July 11, 2014, KyrTAG cites Deputy Foreign Minister Erines Orotbayev.

Kyrgyz President Almazbek Atambayev denounced the deal on US air base of Manas. The transit center is located near Bishkek and was used by the US military to transport about 25,000 soldiers to Afghanistan and back every month. About 30% of jets get fueled at the center. The center houses four S-17 Globemasters and 16 KC-135 Stratotankers.

Kyrgyzstan will lose about $150 million annually by closing the base and $60 million by ending leasing of the facility.