US to complete withdrawal from Niger’s Air Base 101 on Sunday
2024.07.05 10:51
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. military is set to complete the withdrawal on Sunday of all U.S. personnel from Niger’s Air Base 101 in the nation’s capital, the two-star U.S. general coordinating the pullout said on Friday.
Niger’s ruling junta in April ordered the U.S. to withdraw its nearly 1,000 military personnel from the country. Until a coup last year Niger had been a key partner in Washington’s fight against insurgents in the Sahel region of Africa, who have killed thousands of people and displaced millions more.
“We will do a joint ceremony on that occasion that marks the departure of the last U.S. C-17 (aircraft). The government of Niger will assume control of former U.S. areas and facilities,” Air Force Major General Kenneth Ekman said, speaking by video conference from Niger’s capital.
