The United States has officially transferred its final military base in Niger — one of two essential facilities for American counterterrorism efforts in the region — to local officials, as revealed in a collaborative statement from the U.S. Department of Defense and Niger’s Ministry of Defense on Monday.
The transfer of Airbase 201, located in the city of Agadez, follows the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Airbase 101, a smaller drone facility in the capital city, Niamey, earlier this month.
U.S. forces are required to depart the Sahel nation by September 15, per an agreement with Nigerien authorities.
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According to Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh, around twenty American soldiers remain in Niger, primarily handling administrative tasks related to the withdrawal process. They are stationed at the U.S. embassy.
FILE – In this file photo taken Monday, April 16, 2018, the U.S. and Niger flags are displayed together at the base camp for air forces and personnel supporting the construction of Niger Air Base 201 in Agadez. The U.S. has handed over its last military base in Niger to local authorities, as announced in a joint statement by the U.S. Department of Defense and Niger’s Ministry of Defense on Monday, August 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Carley Petesch, File)
In March, Niger’s ruling junta terminated an agreement that permitted U.S. troops to operate within the nation. Subsequently, officials from both countries indicated in a joint statement that American forces would complete their withdrawal by mid-September.
Niger had been regarded as one of the last potential partners for Western nations in the tumultuous region, aimed at combating the rise of jihadi insurgencies. Up until recently, the U.S. and France combined had over 2,500 military personnel in the area, with substantial investments in military support and training.
Recently, Niger has distanced itself from Western allies, opting to seek assistance from Russia instead. In April, Russian military trainers were deployed to bolster Niger’s air defense capabilities.
The removal of American forces from Niger after last year’s coup has significant implications for the U.S., as it necessitates the abandonment of a critical base that was instrumental in counterterrorism operations across the Sahel, a vast expanse south of the Sahara, where affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State are active.
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One such group, Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin, or JNIM, is currently operational in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and is looking to expand into Benin and Togo.
