US military completes withdrawal from Niger under junta rule

The U.S. has completed its military withdrawal from Niger, as confirmed by an American official on Monday. While most U.S. troops have left, a small number of personnel remain to guard the U.S. Embassy, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh stated. Earlier this year, Niger’s ruling junta terminated an agreement that allowed U.S. forces to operate in the country, leading to a joint decision for the complete withdrawal by mid-September.
The final U.S. military bases in Niger were handed over to local authorities last month. Although approximately two dozen American soldiers stayed behind for administrative tasks related to the withdrawal, the exit had significant implications. The departure means the U.S. is relinquishing critical bases used for counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel, a region plagued by groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS. Niger’s shift away from Western partners toward Russia for security support further complicates the situation, with Russian military trainers arriving earlier this year to bolster Niger’s defenses.
Peoplesmind