Last US soldier withdraws from final base in Niger: Pentagon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
5 Aug 2024 19:11

Niger's Defense Ministry and the Pentagon announce that "the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 201 in Agadez is complete."

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In this image by the US Air Force, Maj. Gen. Kenneth P. Ekman speaks to military members at Air Base 101 in Niger, on May 30, 2024. (Tech. Sgt. Christopher Dyer, U.S. Air Force via AP)

The US military has withdrawn its forces from its final base in Niger, the Pentagon confirmed on Monday.

In a joint statement with Niger's Defense Ministry, the Pentagon announced that "the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 201 in Agadez is complete."

According to the statement, "This effort began on May 19 following the mutual establishment of withdrawal conditions and coordination will continue between U.S. and Nigerien armed forces over the coming weeks to ensure the full withdrawal is complete as planned."

No details were provided on the remaining assets the US might still need to withdraw from the West African country.

Approximately, 200 US soldiers had been stationed at the $100 million Agadez drone base in northern Niger.

US troops were part of an international mission allegedly aimed at combatting terrorist forces that frequently launch attacks across the Sahel region.

The US military withdrawal was initiated in March after the country's transitional government, which took power in a coup in July 2023, had terminated the military agreement with the United States with immediate effect, citing the interests of the Nigerien people.

In May, the two sides announced they had reached a disengagement agreement after several days of talks between a delegation from the US Department of Defense and Nigerien counterparts in Niamey.

The joint statement mentioned that "the effective cooperation and communication between the US and Nigerien armed forces ensured that this turnover was finished ahead of schedule and without complications."

Niger has already overseen the withdrawal of troops from France, the former colonial power, and has turned to other partners, such as Russia, which has provided instructors and equipment.