U.S. Troops to Complete Withdrawal from Niger by Mid-September

US Troops to Complete Withdrawal from Niger by Mid-September

In a significant development, U.S. troops have been ordered to leave Niger by the ruling junta of the West African country. The withdrawal process is expected to be completed by the middle of September, as confirmed by the Pentagon and Nigerien defense officials on Sunday.

The decision to expel American forces from Niger comes after four days of talks between defense officials from both countries in Niamey, the capital city. This move deals a blow to U.S. military operations in the Sahel region, where extremist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State are active.

The strained military cooperation between the U.S. and Niger began last year when the democratically elected president was overthrown by mutinous soldiers. Following the coup, the ruling junta sought security assistance from the Russian mercenary group Wagner and asked French forces to leave.

In response to the military takeover, the U.S. designated it as a coup in October, triggering restrictions on military support and aid to Niger. Currently, there are about 1,000 U.S. troops in Niger, primarily stationed at an airbase near Agadez, around 920 kilometers away from the capital.

Niger was considered a key ally by Washington in the region, and the U.S. invested heavily in the Agadez base, which played a crucial role in counterterrorism operations in the Sahel. Additionally, the U.S. provided substantial training and support to Niger’s military since operations began in 2013.

As part of the withdrawal plan, most of the approximately 100 U.S. forces deployed in neighboring Chad will also be relocated. Talks are expected to resume next month to revise the agreement allowing U.S. troops to be based in Chad.

The upcoming withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger marks a significant shift in the dynamics of military cooperation in the region, with potential implications for security and counterterrorism efforts. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.