In April, the ruling junta in Niger ordered the U.S. to withdraw nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country, marking a significant setback for Washington following last year’s coup. Previously, Niger had been a crucial ally in the U.S. effort against insurgents in the Sahel region, who have caused widespread casualties and displacement.
As Washington seeks an alternative strategy in West Africa, progress has been slow, and U.S. officials are concerned about diminishing intelligence on the rapidly growing extremist groups in the region. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from Niger was executed in stages, with personnel and equipment leaving Air Base 101 in Niamey on July 7 and Air Base 201 in Agadez on August 5.
On Monday, the U.S. military confirmed that the U.S. Africa Command Coordination Element, which included a two-star general and staff, had also departed Niger, with the complete withdrawal achieved by the September 15 deadline.
SOURCE: https://dew360.net
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