The US intends to withdraw its troops from Niger, according to the Reuters news agency citing a well-informed source, who spoke of an agreement between US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and the military regime in Niamey.
The US intends to withdraw its troops from Niger, according to the Reuters news agency citing a well-informed source, who spoke of an agreement between US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and the military regime in Niamey.
Just over 1,000 US troops are estimated to be in Niger, where the US maintains two bases. One of them hosts unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Agadez region (north) and its construction cost exceeded 100 million dollars. As of 2018, the air base has been a staging ground for raids against jihadist groups that often launch bloody attacks in countries in the Sahel region.
Before last July’s coup, Niger was a partner of the US and France. The military that seized power followed in the footsteps of the coups in Mali and Burkina Faso, denouncing military cooperation agreements with the West, leaving the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS or CEDEAO) and strengthening ties with Russia.
In the coming days, the details of the withdrawal of US troops from Niger will be discussed, according to the source cited by Reuters.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Niger’s capital last week, demanding the immediate withdrawal of US forces, applauding the junta’s decision to end military cooperation with the US and welcome trainers and military equipment from Russia.
Source :Skai
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