Niger: US military on track for full withdrawal by September
The United States is on track to fully withdraw its military presence from Niger by mid-September, Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh of the US Department of Defense confirmed during an off-camera press briefing on Monday.
Singh addressed questions regarding the withdrawal of approximately 1,000 US troops from Niger, noting that the process began with the complete withdrawal from Niger’s Air Base 101 near Niamey's airport on July 7th.
Currently, around 300 US forces remain in Niger, with plans for a safe and orderly withdrawal by September 15th, Singh assured.
The decision to withdraw follows Niger's announcement on March 17th, suspending its 12-year military agreement with the United States and requesting the departure of American soldiers. A joint statement issued by both defense ministries on May 19th confirmed that the US military presence in Niger would conclude by September 15, 2024.
This move marks a significant shift in military cooperation between Niger and the United States, impacting strategic operations in the region. (ILKHA)