All U.S. forces and equipment will be removed from a small base in Niger this weekend, with the remaining troops scheduled to leave a critical drone base by August, following an agreement with Niger’s new ruling junta. This move comes ahead of a September 15 deadline set by the junta.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman, who is overseeing the withdrawal, stated that U.S. personnel have already left Air Base 101 near Niamey, Niger’s capital. The remaining troops will depart from a major drone base near Agadez in the coming weeks. This base has been pivotal for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel region, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State operate.
Maj. Gen. Ekman noted that small teams of U.S. troops, including special operations forces, have relocated to other West African countries, while the majority will initially move to Europe. Nations such as Ivory Coast and Ghana have expressed interest in increased U.S. presence, suggesting potential future cooperation.
Niger’s ruling junta demanded the withdrawal of U.S. forces following a coup last year, which ousted the democratically elected president. This expulsion has significant implications for U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region, particularly due to the strategic importance of the Agadez drone base.
The withdrawal from Niger has been coordinated closely with local authorities. In a joint statement, the Nigerien Defense Ministry and the U.S. Department of Defense praised the smooth execution of the operation. A ceremony on Sunday will mark the final departure of U.S. troops from the airport base in Niamey.
Ekman emphasized that the U.S. is not destroying equipment or facilities as it withdraws, unlike the previous pullout from Afghanistan. “Our goal is to leave things in as good a state as possible,” he said. Notable equipment being removed includes 18 generators, each weighing 4,000 pounds and valued at over $1 million.
This withdrawal comes after the U.S. formally designated the military takeover in Niger as a coup in October, triggering restrictions on military support and aid under U.S. law. The junta has also requested the departure of French forces, shifting its security alliances towards the Russian mercenary group Wagner.
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