Niger’s junta has terminated its military cooperation agreement with the United States, asking about 1,000 U.S. troops to leave the country. This development ends the U.S. military’s operation from a $110 million drone base in Agadez, impacting Washington’s strategy in the region against Islamist insurgency. The decision also opens the possibility for Russian military presence, following explorations of a deal between Niger’s junta and Iran regarding uranium mines. This marks a significant shift in Niger’s foreign military partnerships and poses challenges for U.S. military operations in West Africa.
Over the weekend, the Islamic State claimed responsibility for an attack on Niger’s army, resulting in the deaths of 30 Nigerian soldiers. This attack occurred amid a wider Islamist insurgency in West Africa.