(CNN) The United States military had been seeking the authority to arm its drones in Niger before the recent ambush of US forces there, three defense officials tell CNN.

The military is still seeking the authority to arm the drones in the wake of the ISIS attack, the officials added, with one saying the effort has gained greater urgency.

The government of Niger must give permission to allow the arming of US drones there, something it has yet to do, according to one official.

The US State Department has been leading the effort to persuade the Nigerien government to permit the arming of drones.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, told reporters Monday that remotely piloted drone aircraft arrived overhead within minutes of the soldiers' request for support.

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