
(BrightPress.org) – American forces left Air Base 101 near Niamey, Niger’s capital. This departure followed a formal ceremony, as stated by the U.S. Africa Command (Africom). The last aircraft, an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, took off on July 8th.
Plans are set for the U.S. to exit Air Base 201 in Agadez in September. Maj. Gen. Kenneth Ekman of Africom expressed gratitude for the safe and orderly withdrawal of American troops, reflecting positively on the past 15 years of cooperation and shared sacrifice between U.S. and Nigerian forces.
Air Base 201 has provided vital intelligence on militant groups, including al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates. Ekman noted that fewer than 500 remaining personnel at Air Base 201 will leave in August, ahead of the September deadline. Some personnel have already relocated to other countries in West Africa, with most initially moving to Europe.
A military junta took over Niger in July 2023, adding to the series of coups in Sahel countries. Since then, Niamey has moved closer to Russia.
The U.S. transitioning out of Air Base 101 has raised concerns about a possible resurgence of extremist activities, including groups affiliated with ISIS. American forces have been in Africa and the Middle East to combat Islamic State groups and conduct counterterrorism operations.
The U.S. will need to change its presence and actions in West Africa to achieve shared security objectives. The next focus is the withdrawal from the $100 million drone base near Agadez. This base has been crucial for gathering intelligence on jihadist-linked groups.
The Pentagon and Niger’s Department of National Defense emphasized their dedication to a safe and orderly withdrawal by September 15th. The relationship between American and Nigerian forces remains strong despite the political challenges.
Concerns about Russia and Iran exploiting Niger’s unrest persist. There are concerns about the Nigerien junta potentially giving Iran access to uranium reserves for its nuclear program. The Pentagon has discussed these issues directly with the junta, though no agreements have been finalized.
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