US army withdraws from Air Base (101) in Niger
(MENAFN) On Sunday, the US army initiated the withdrawal of its personnel from Air Base (101) in Niger, which is located near the airport in Niamey, the capital. This move is in preparation for an upcoming withdrawal from a significant drone base near the desert city of Agadez, which is expected to occur in the coming weeks. This decision follows the request from Niger's ruling military council in April, urging the United States to pull out approximately 1,000 troops from the country after last year's coup in the West African nation.
The defense ministries of both Niger and the United States issued a joint statement expressing satisfaction with the smooth execution of the withdrawal operation. They highlighted the effective cooperation and communication between the Nigerien and U.S. armed forces, which enabled the operation to be completed ahead of schedule and without any complications. This collaborative effort underscores the ongoing coordination between the two nations despite the political changes in Niger.
On Friday, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman announced that the next focus would be on withdrawing from Air Base (201), a USD100 million drone base near Agadez in central Niger. This base has been crucial for providing intelligence on militant-linked groups in the region. Maj. Gen. Ekman indicated that the withdrawal from this base is likely to take place in August. The ruling military council of Niger has set a deadline for the United States to fully withdraw its troops from the country by September 15.
In a related development, Russia has expanded its influence in Niger by sending military trainers to the country in April. Furthermore, Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, signed a federal treaty on Saturday aimed at creating a closer alliance among the countries in the central Sahel region of Africa. This region has been plagued by armed rebellions, and the treaty signifies a strategic move to bolster regional cooperation and stability amidst ongoing security challenges.
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