US to Withdraw Troops from Niger by Mid-September, Pentagon Confirms

May 19, 2024, 06:09 PM

The United States and Niger have agreed on the withdrawal of American troops from Niger by September 15, 2024. The agreement was reached following a visit to Niamey by a US military delegation, according to a joint communiqué. The withdrawal process will include the evacuation of troops stationed at two bases, AB201 in Agadez and AB101 in Niamey, with C17 transport aircraft facilitating the process. This decision comes after the demand from Niger's military leadership and involves coordination between the Pentagon, the Department of Defense, and Nigerien defense officials. The nearly decade-long partnership had been a cornerstone of US counterterrorism operations in the region. Additionally, a process was agreed to facilitate the granting of landing and overflight permits during the withdrawal.