US completes withdrawal from its last military base in Niger

The US military has completed its withdrawal from Air Base 201 in Niger, officials said Monday (05.08.2024), after The African country’s ruling junta ordered nearly 1,000 U.S. military personnel who left after a coup last year.

Complex 201, a drone base near Agadez in central Niger that was built at a cost of $100 million, had provided crucial intelligence on Islamist militant groups before the coup.

A joint statement by the Nigerien Ministry of Defense and the US military said: The base’s personnel and equipment had been removed and that coordination would continue over the coming weeks to ensure the withdrawal is completed.

“Effective cooperation and communication between the U.S. and Nigerien militaries ensured that this delivery was completed ahead of schedule and without complications,” they said.

Niger’s junta has given the United States until September 15 to withdraw troops from its territory. American troops withdrew from Air Base 101 last month.

Niger’s decision to request the withdrawal of US troops came after a meeting held in Niamey in mid-Marchin which senior US officials expressed concern about issues including the expected arrival of Russian forces and reports that Iran is seeking raw materials in the country, including uranium.

In April, Russia sent military instructors to Niger.

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