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U.S. Completes Military Withdrawal from Two Niger Bases, Including $110 Million Facility

Aug 5, 2024, 07:02 PM

The United States military has completed its withdrawal from its last two bases in Niger, marking the end of a years-long counterterrorism mission in the West African country. The withdrawal was finalized on August 5, 2024, with a ceremony at the drone base in Agadez attended by both Nigerian and American military officials. This move follows a directive from Niger's ruling junta, which came to power after a coup last year and ordered the nearly 1,000 U.S. military personnel to leave. The U.S. had used its bases in Niger for drone strikes against extremist groups such as ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Boko Haram. The handover of the bases, including a $110 million facility, represents a significant strategic setback for the U.S. in the region, as violent extremism remains on the rise.