While speaking to reporters, United States Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder confirmed that discussions have begun with the Niger junta “for the orderly withdrawal of U.S. forces from the country,” according to Politico.
Last month, the junta announced that it had severed military cooperation with the US and ordered the removal of American forces stationed in the country, who are largely located at the Air Base 201 near Agadez, which has been a hub for counter-terrorism drone operations in the Sahel as the regions continues to be a hotbed for jihadism.
Since taking power during a coup in July 2023, the junta has ended military cooperation with France (and now the US) as junta officials continue to seek greater military and economic cooperation from Russia, who in turn can continue to secure influence in the region.
One that questions, however, is how will the withdrawal of American forces impact regional security amid continued and growing threats from terror groups.
