US Finalizes Withdrawal from Niger Bases Following Coup

American forces to leave key drone base by August, marking a significant shift in West African counterterrorism efforts.

The US will complete its withdrawal from Niger's Air Base 101 on Sunday, with a ceremony marking the departure.
Fewer than 500 remaining troops will exit a critical drone base in Agadez by August ahead of a September deadline.
The withdrawal follows Niger's junta ordering US forces out after last year's coup, impacting US counterterrorism missions in the Sahel.
Some US troops are relocating to other West African nations, while most will initially move to Europe.
Russia has deployed military forces to Niger, conducting training activities at the vacated bases.