US Returns Its Soldiers From Niger, Security Authority Transition Begins

Illustration of the army or military. (Unsplash-Philip Andrejevic)

JAKARTA - The United States (US) began withdrawing its soldiers from Niger. The first plane departures from the US military on Saturday, June 8 local time.

"The US Defense Department and the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announced the withdrawal of US troops and their assets from Niger has grown from the initial planned withdrawal. This significant transition begins with the US military plane C-17 Globemaster III flight home from Base 101 in Niamey on June 7, 2024," a joint statement from the US-Niger defense ministry, was confiscated by Antara, Sunday, June 9.

According to the statement, several US troops have been withdrawn to their bases after completing the mission.

At the same time, a small contingent of US military personnel arrived in the African country to assist in the withdrawal of troops from Bases 101 and 201.

The US and Niger agreed to complete the withdrawal of US troops from the African nation by September 15.

It is estimated that there are around 1,100 US military personnel in Niger.

Talks about the troop withdrawal began in March after Niger's military spokesman said the country's transitional government, which seized power through a coup in July 2023, halted an immediate military deal with the US on the interests of the Niger people.