US to withdraw military personnel from Niger, source says
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The United States will withdraw its troops from Niger, according to a source familiar with the matter. An agreement was reached between U.S Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and Niger's leadership. There were a little over 1,000 U.S. troops in Niger as of last year, operating out of two bases. The U.S. military has used a drone base known as Air Base 201 to target Islamic State militants and an al Qaeda affiliate in the Sahel region. Last year, Niger's army seized power in a coup, leading to the new authorities in Niger ending military deals with the United States and France and fostering closer ties with Russia. The withdrawal of troops will be discussed in the coming days, and diplomatic and economic relationships between the U.S. and Niger will continue despite this step. The New York Times reported that more than 1,000 American military personnel will leave Niger in the coming months. Last month, Niger's ruling junta revoked a military accord that allowed U.S. military personnel and civilian staff on its soil. The Pentagon is seeking clarification about the way forward and continues to communicate with Niger's ruling military council. The decision to withdraw troops comes amid growing concerns over democratic backsliding in West and Central Africa.

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