US troop withdrawal from Niger to wrap up by early August

US commander for Africa, General Kenneth Ekman has announced that the troop withdrawal from Niger, requested by the West African nation's military government, will be finished by early August.

General Kenneth Ekman reported in Abidjan that the operation is progressing smoothly and is ahead of schedule due to strong coordination with Nigerien military forces, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

"We anticipate completing the withdrawal by early August, well before the September 15 deadline agreed upon," Ekman stated.

While the US has already evacuated a base in Niamey, Niger's capital, as of early July, approximately 200 US soldiers remain stationed at the Agadez drone base in northern Niger.

US troops were part of a broader international effort aimed at combating jihadist groups that frequently attack across the region. However, following a coup in Niger last March, the country's military leaders ordered both US and French forces to leave.

General Kenneth Ekman expressed concern about the impact of this withdrawal on regional security, highlighting the growing threat of violent extremism in the Sahel.

"I’ve been in discussions with military and government leaders here; we share deep concerns about the escalating extremist threat," Ekman noted.

He confirmed that the US would maintain collaboration with Ivory Coast's security forces but denied rumours about plans to establish a US base in Odienne. Recently, US forces participated in the "Flintlock" military exercises in Ivory Coast, which involved troops from various Western and African nations.