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The withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger is complete but a small number of military personnel assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy will remain.
Earlier this year, Niger’s government ended an agreement that allowed U.S. troops to operate in the West African country. A few months later, officials from both countries said in a joint statement that U.S. troops would complete their withdrawal by the middle of September.
The U.S. handed over its last military bases in Niger to local authorities last month but about two dozen American soldiers had remained in Niger, largely for administrative duties related to the withdrawal, U.S. Defense Department Spokesperson Sabrina Singh said.
The U.S. withdrawal from Niger was carried out in phases, with U.S. forces and assets withdrawing from Air Base 101 in Niamey on July 7, and Air Base 201 in Agadez on August 5. The U.S. military said on Monday the U.S. Africa Command Coordination Element, consisting of a two-star general and staff, has also departed from Niger, and that the withdrawal was complete by a September 15 deadline.
“Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Niger’s forces and supported partner-led counterterrorism missions against Islamic State and al Qaeda in the region,” The U.S. military said in a statement.
“The U.S. Department of Defense and the Nigerien Ministry of National Defense recognize the sacrifices made by both nations’ forces.”
(Story compiled with assistance from wire reports)
