The US is leaving its last base in Niger
For Washington, the support point in the desert state of Niger was strategically important - a lot of money flowed into its construction. After five years, the US military gives up the air base. Russia and Iran also have something to do with it.
The USA has withdrawn most of its troops from the West African Sahel state of Niger. A farewell ceremony took place at the more than 100 million dollar US air support base 201 in the desert city of Agadez. From there, the USA monitored the activities of terrorist groups and human smugglers in Libya and the Sahel with drones, with up to 1000 military personnel in the country since 2019. The withdrawal from the country is to be completed by September 15, the US military's Africa Command in Stuttgart announced.
The military in Niger overthrew the democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July last year. Until the coup, Niger was considered the last democratic partner of the West in the fight against Islamic terrorism in the Sahel. After that, the country turned to Russia and Iran and pushed Western countries to withdraw. Germany also wants to clear the German Air Force's air transport support base on the outskirts of the capital Niamey by the end of August, after negotiations for continued operation failed.
In April, the Niger junta terminated the military agreements with the USA. The United States first tried to negotiate - but then evacuated their smaller support point in Niamey in July. According to reports, there was a dispute between Washington and the military government over the role of Russia as well as Iran's interest in purchasing nuclear fuel uranium.
In the West African inland states of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, Islamic terrorist groups have been spreading for years. After military coups, all three states turn to Russia, which sends mercenaries, military trainers, and weapons to the countries.
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The United States military's decision to abandon the air base in Agadez, Niger, marked a significant withdrawal of over 1000 military personnel, impacting their surveillance of terrorist activities and human smuggling in the region. More recently, the United States had a disagreement with the Nigerien government, leading to the termination of military agreements and the evacuation of their smaller support point in Niamey, potentially due to concerns over Russia's and Iran's involvement.
