The United States has completed the withdrawal of its troops from Niger
17 September, 2024 Flags of the United States and Niger at a military base. Photo credits: Carley Petesch/AP The United States has completed the withdrawal of its military contingent from Niger.
This was stated in the Pentagon, according to MilitaryTimes. However, a small number of US military personnel assigned to guard the US Embassy remain in the country. Last month, the United States handed over its last military facilities in Niger to local authorities, but about two dozen American soldiers remained in Niger, mainly to perform administrative duties related to the withdrawal, Deputy Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said.
Earlier this year, Niger's ruling junta terminated an agreement that allowed US troops to operate in the West African country.
US military in Niger. Photo from open sources
A few months later, officials from both countries announced in a joint statement that US troops would be withdrawn by mid-September. It is noted that the withdrawal of US troops after the coup d'etat in Niger last year has significant consequences for the United States, as it forces troops to leave critical bases used for anti-terrorism missions in the Sahel.
The military has been countering groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State operating in the vast region south of the Sahara Desert. Relations between Niger and Western countries have deteriorated since the junta overthrew the country's democratically elected president last July. Since then, the Nigerian junta has ordered the withdrawal of French troops and turned to Russia for help.
In early April 2024, Russian military instructors arrived in Niger to train local military personnel.
US military in Niger. Photo from open sources
The United States attempted to renegotiate a military agreement with Niger that would have allowed them to stay, but it failed. Niger was home to a large US air base in Agadez, about 920 kilometers from the capital Niamey, which until recently was used to base manned and unmanned aircraft.
The United States has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars in training the Nigerian military since the operation began in 2013.