The U.S. has officially handed over its last military base in Niger, one of two key hubs for American counterterrorism efforts in the country, to local authorities. This transition, announced in a joint statement by the U.S. Department of Defense and Niger’s Ministry of Defense on Monday, marks a significant shift in the region.
US hands over the last military base in Niger to the ruling junta#Niger #USA #Russia #Africa pic.twitter.com/7mEJFYkVxH
— B.C. Begley (@BC_News1) August 6, 2024
The transfer of Airbase 201, located in Agadez, follows the earlier withdrawal of U.S. troops from Airbase 101, a smaller drone base in Niger’s capital, Niamey, earlier this month. According to an agreement with Nigerien authorities, U.S. troops are required to leave the country by September 15.
Approximately two dozen American soldiers remain in Niger, primarily for administrative duties associated with the withdrawal. These troops are stationed at the U.S. embassy, as noted by Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh.
The decision to withdraw U.S. troops comes after Niger’s ruling junta terminated an agreement in March that allowed American forces to operate in the West African nation. A few months later, both nations announced that the U.S. would complete its withdrawal by mid-September.
US troops vacate their last military base in Niger
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Niger had been one of the few remaining partners for Western nations in the increasingly unstable Sahel region, which has been plagued by growing jihadi insurgencies. Until recently, the U.S. and France had over 2,500 military personnel in the area and, along with other European countries, had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid and training.
In recent months, however, Niger has distanced itself from its Western allies, turning instead to Russia for security support. In April, Russian military trainers arrived in Niger to bolster the country’s air defenses.
The expulsion of American troops from Niger following last year’s coup has significant implications for the U.S. This move forces the U.S. to abandon a critical base used for counterterrorism operations in the Sahel, a vast area south of the Sahara desert where groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State operate.
End of an era in Niger: The US closes its last base Located approximately 1,000 kilometers from Niamey, the Agadez air base, which housed surveillance drones and transport planes, permanently closed its doors on August 5, marking the end of the American military presence in Niger pic.twitter.com/TDWj9ebdWa
— Sahel Revolutionary Soldier (@cecild84) August 5, 2024
One such group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and is seeking to expand its influence into Benin and Togo. The loss of the American military presence in Niger could impact efforts to combat these insurgent groups in the region.
Major Points:
- The U.S. transferred its last military base in Niger, Airbase 201 in Agadez, to local authorities after earlier withdrawing from Airbase 101 in Niamey.
- U.S. troops have until September 15 to leave Niger, with about two dozen soldiers remaining for administrative duties at the U.S. embassy.
- Niger’s ruling junta ended the agreement allowing U.S. troops to operate in the country, prompting the withdrawal announced earlier this year.
- Niger has shifted its security partnerships from Western nations to Russia, with Russian military trainers arriving in April to support Niger’s air defenses.
- The U.S. withdrawal impacts counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region, where groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State operate, including JNIM, which is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
