U.S. to Withdraw 1,100 Troops from Niger, Ending Long-Resisted Presence

Apr 20, 2024, 12:10 AM

The U.S. has agreed to withdraw its military personnel from Niger, involving more than 1,100 service members, following demands from the Nigerien government and pressure from U.S. lawmakers. This decision comes amid reports of U.S. troops being stranded without adequate supplies, unable to receive mail or medicine, and facing significant risks. The troop withdrawal was confirmed by multiple sources including U.S. officials and media reports. The move marks a significant shift in the Biden administration's policy in the Sahel region, where the U.S. has maintained a military presence for counterterrorism efforts. The decision, which the Biden administration had long resisted, was influenced by protests in Niger's capital, Niamey, where hundreds demanded the departure of U.S. forces, and by internal reports of the troops' dire conditions.