US Completes Military Withdrawal from Niger

The U.S. military has officially completed its withdrawal from Niger, as confirmed by the Pentagon on Monday. Following a coup in 2023, Niger's ruling junta demanded the exit of U.S. troops, marking a significant shift in the U.S. counterterrorism strategy in the region where Niger had been a critical ally against extremist groups. The withdrawal, which involved over 1,000 personnel, was executed without complications and completed by the agreed date of September 15, 2023. Despite the withdrawal, a small number of American troops remain to oversee embassy security. This military exit follows the termination of a long-standing cooperation agreement with the U.S., as Niger seeks to strengthen ties with other international partners, including Russia. The U.S. is now faced with the challenge of reassessing its strategy in West Africa amid diminishing intelligence on extremist factions.