The United States has reportedly relocated some of its forces within Niger, withdrawing non-essential personnel, according to a U.S. military official. This comes six weeks after the military coup that ousted the democratically elected government.
The official stated that the forces will move from an airbase near the capital, Niamey, to a facility in Agadez, which serves as a hub for U.S. intelligence and reconnaissance missions in central Niger.
These operations had been suspended since the coup, but the United States maintained its military presence in the country in Central Africa until now.
The American official described this move as a "precautionary measure" and not a significant change in the overall number of military personnel in the country.
The United States currently has around 1,100 soldiers stationed at the two airbases and the embassy in Niamey.
The U.S. military official declined to specify the number of non-essential personnel who would be leaving Niger. He stated that the transfer of forces and military equipment between the two bases, which are more than 450 miles apart, was coordinated with the Nigerien army.
The United States had conducted joint exercises with the Nigerien army in the past, but this cooperation has been suspended since the coup.
The U.S. administration has not officially classified the overthrow of the democratically elected government in Niger as a coup. Instead, it has pushed for a diplomatic solution.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder stated in a press conference on Tuesday, "We are still focused on a diplomatic solution."
Niger serves as a vital base for the U.S. military in the region, allowing the Pentagon to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions in neighboring conflict-prone areas such as Mali and Burkina Faso.
Note: It should be mentioned that Reuters news agency was the first to report on the redeployment of U.S. forces.
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