US forces completely withdraw from Niger following military coup

The Defense Department and its Nigerian counterpart announced Monday the withdrawal of all U.S. military forces and assets from the African nation. The U.S. began winding down operations after a military junta took power last year and demanded the withdrawal of U.S. forces.

The junta shunned U.S. military support in favor of closer ties with Russia, Just the News reported.

"This process began on May 19 following the mutual establishment of withdrawal conditions and continued with the withdrawal of U.S. forces and assets from Air Base 101 in Niamey on July 7, 2024, and Air Base 201 in Agadez on Aug. 5, 2024," according to a Defense Department press release.

U.S. forces in Niger provided counterterrorism support and used the country as a staging ground to combat ISIS in the Middle East. The withdrawal of those forces has sparked fears of a terrorist resurgence in the region.