Some of the Pentagon’s troops are apparently planning to leave the African nation.
According to Politico on Friday, which cited two Defence Department sources, the US has started “repositioning” its troops in Niger and intends to reduce their number “nearly in half” over the coming weeks.
Some of the soldiers stationed at Niamey’s airport have already been redeployed to the smaller base in Agadez, which is situated around 500 miles (739 km) away, according to Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh, who was speaking to media on Thursday.
According to a government insider who spoke to Politico, the US will also reduce its overall soldier presence in Niger from about 1,200 to between 500 and 1,000.
According to the two individuals, the exact number would depend on how many the Pentagon determines it will require to continue the counterterrorism mission and how many troops can be accommodated at Agadez.
According to the second official, “it’s about matching the right people to the right mission.” “The function they are serving to us is more important than the number,”
Singh described the situation in Niger as “relatively stable” and said there was no “specific threat” to US forces, but a source for Politico claimed the decision to redeploy was made out of a great deal of caution in light of recent demonstrations in front of the French military installation in Niamey.
While retaining our capacity to carry out counterterrorism activities, we are attempting to minimise our presence in Niamey, the officer said.
In order to combat the Islamic terrorists that spread throughout the Sahel after the NATO regime-change mission in Libya in 2011, the US and France have committed troops and drones to Niger.
Accusing President Mohamed Bazoum of failing to defeat terrorism, the Nigerien military deposed the US-backed leader in late July. Since then, the military administration has pushed for the withdrawal of French troops. In recent years, military administrations have also gained control of neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso and overthrown the old colonial power in both countries.
Despite Bazoum’s pleas for the US to step in and “restore democracy,” Washington has hesitated from labelling his overthrow as a “coup,” as doing so would necessitate the suspension of all military aid to Niger. Although it has “suspended” the training of Nigerien forces, the Pentagon is hesitant to abandon the nation entirely.
As the prospect of military involvement by the West African bloc ECOWAS has failed to persuade the military government in Niamey to restore Bazoum, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) warned earlier this week that the US may be planning to assassinate its leaders.
