The Pentagon announced on Monday that the United States (US) military has started pulling out its troops from its last base in Niger, more than 12 months after being instructed to vacate by the military coup leaders in the African nation.
In a joint statement with Niger’s Defence Ministry, the Pentagon confirmed that the “removal of US forces and resources from Air Base 201 in Agadez has been successfully carried out.”
“This effort will continue between US and Nigerien armed forces over the coming weeks to ensure the full withdrawal is complete as planned,” it continued.
Around 200 military personnel were stationed at the Agadez drone base located in the northern part of the country. The US soldiers were involved in a global initiative aimed at combating armed militias that frequently launched attacks throughout the area.
But the Niger military leaders, who seized power in a coup a year ago in March, told US and French forces to leave the country.
