U.S. withdraws forces, assets from last base in Niger, winding down counterterrorism effort

The U.S. Defense Department has announced the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from its last base in Niger, near the city of Agadez, winding down a regional counterterrorism effort.

In a joint statement Monday with the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger, the two government agencies said the decision for the withdrawal from the $110 million base was “mutual” and began May 19.

“Coordination will continue between U.S. and Nigerien armed forces over the coming weeks to ensure the full withdrawal is complete as planned,” the statement also reads.

U.S. forces were at Nigerien Air Base 201, near Agadez in central Niger, to improve cooperation with the Nigerien armed forces and regional counterterrorism efforts.

Violent extremism is on the rise in parts of Niger, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. 

The Defense Department said U.S. troops trained Niger’s forces and supported partner-led counterterrorism missions against Islamic State and Al-Qaeda in the region over the past 10 years.