U.S. to Withdraw More Than 1,000 Forces from Niger, Impacting Counterterrorism Efforts

In a surprising turn of events, the U.S. military has made the decision to withdraw its over 1,000 forces from Niger, a country in West Africa, over the next few months. This move comes after more than a decade of investing over $1 billion in the region.

Impact on Counterterrorism Efforts

This decision is considered a significant setback for U.S. counterterrorism efforts in the region, which is known for its numerous major and growing threats. Niger, a landlocked country surrounded by unstable neighbors, has seen the rise of local militias joining forces with international terror organizations like al Qaeda and ISIS.

One senior U.S. military official, who has spent time in Niger, expressed that the impending withdrawal will have a devastating impact on regional counterterrorism efforts and overall peace in the area going forward. The official emphasized the years of effort the soldiers had put into building capacity and providing training to regional forces, making the withdrawal a tough blow on all levels.

Russian Involvement

Months later, Niger's junta leaders agreed to enhance military cooperation with Russia, as evidenced by the arrival of Russian military trainers and a new air defense system in the capital city of Niamey. The support from Russia has been part of a broader trend in the region, with neighboring countries also turning to the Russian mercenary firm, previously known as the Wagner Group, for military training and support.

U.S. Investment in Niger

Over the span of a decade, the U.S. is estimated to have spent more than $1 billion in building two drone bases and a new embassy in Niger. These bases, along with the approximately 1,100 U.S. forces stationed there, have been pivotal to U.S. operations in the volatile Sahel region, which extends across northern Africa.

Challenges Faced by U.S. Forces

The situation for U.S. forces based in Niger became increasingly difficult after the coup, with reports indicating that the troops were instructed to "sit and hold," hindering their ability to fulfill their mission. This led to a member of the U.S. forces in Niger describing the troops as effectively being "held hostage" in a country that no longer welcomed their presence.