The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Niger, a Pentagon spokesperson announced Monday.
Sabrina Singh, speaking to reporters, confirmed that all U.S. troops have departed the West African nation, with the exception of a small contingent assigned to guard the U.S. Embassy.
The withdrawal follows Niger’s ruling junta’s decision earlier this year to terminate an agreement that allowed U.S. troops to operate in the country. In a joint statement released a few months ago, officials from both countries had indicated that U.S. troops would complete their withdrawal by mid-September.
Last month, the U.S. handed over its final military bases in Niger to local authorities. Singh noted that about two dozen American soldiers had remained in Niger until recently, primarily to handle administrative duties related to the withdrawal process.
The U.S. departure from Niger marks a significant shift in regional dynamics. Niger had been viewed as a key partner for Western nations in combating growing jihadi insurgencies in the Sahel region. The U.S. and France had maintained over 2,500 military personnel in the area until recently, with substantial investments in military assistance and training from various European countries.
In recent months, Niger has distanced itself from its Western allies, turning instead to Russia for security support. Russian military trainers arrived in Niger in April to bolster the country’s air defenses.
The Sahel region faces ongoing threats from extremist groups, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), which is active in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, and reportedly seeking to expand into Benin and Togo.
