The United States has temporarily halted its counterterrorism training with soldiers in Niger following a coup against the country’s elected president, which has led to the evacuation of European partners, according to Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon’s top spokesman. Despite the suspension, there are currently no plans to withdraw the approximately 1,100 U.S. troops stationed in Niger. On July 26, Niger President Mohamed Bazoum was arrested by military leaders supporting Gen. Abdourahmane Tchiani, triggering France and Spain to evacuate their citizens and other Europeans due to border closures imposed by Niger’s military.
However, the United States has not yet made plans to evacuate its own citizens from the country. Instead, they are advised to avoid unnecessary movements. The National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, assured that there are no indications of direct threats to U.S. citizens or facilities, and the U.S. presence in Niger remains unchanged as authorities closely monitor the situation. Presently, the United States has refrained from classifying Bazoum’s removal as a “coup.”
The United States maintains two drone bases and a significant number of American special forces in Niger to combat terrorist groups in the region, including ISIS’s African branch and Boko Haram. Niger is also crucial for U.S. intelligence gathering in the Sahel and eastern Africa regions. The American military trains and advises Nigerian forces, with Washington providing substantial military assistance funding. While Ryder did not disclose whether the security cooperation suspension includes counterterrorism training and drone flights from U.S. bases in Niger, he emphasized that intelligence operations could not be discussed.
The situation remains fluid, and it is too early to definitively label the unrest as a coup. Ryder stated that the focus is on utilizing diplomatic approaches to safeguard Niger’s hard-earned democracy. In conclusion, the United States is closely monitoring the evolving situation and maintaining communication with the Niger military to adapt its response accordingly.
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