The Pentagon is re-evaluating the U.S. military’s position in Niger following France’s decision to withdraw its troops. This re-evaluation includes relocating personnel from Base 101 in Niamey to a drone base in Agadez. The recent political coup in Niger and France’s subsequent departure have thrown counterterrorism operations, which the U.S. and France jointly conducted, into uncertainty.
Key Points:
- The U.S. is considering implications of France’s upcoming military withdrawal from Niger, where the U.S. has approximately 1,100 troops at a drone site.
- The U.S. is focusing on moving personnel from Base 101 in Niamey to a drone hub in Agadez.
- French President Emmanuel Macron declared the termination of France’s military presence in Niger following a July coup.
- Niger has been the central operational hub for U.S. forces, especially for intelligence gathering from the $110 million drone base in Agadez.
- Since the coup in Niger, the U.S. has halted all counterterrorism operations and joint training with Niger’s military.
Source: https://www.stripes.com/theaters/africa/2023-09-26/niger-drone-base-pentagon-11495974.html
