US repositions Niger-based troops "as precaution"

The United States government has begun repositioning its troops in Niger following the 26 July coup d’état.

US Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said that “part of the personnel will be moved from the Air Base 101 located near the Niger capital, Niamey, to the Air Base 201 in Agadez, further north”.

"There is no threat to American troops and no threat of violence on the ground. This is simply a precautionary measure," Ms Singh said during a Pentagon media briefing.

The US has at least 1,100 troops stationed at its two air bases in Niger.

Air Base 201 in Agadez is reportedly a $110-million (£88m) 1.9km-long drone operations facility located 920km from Niamey.

The US forces are deployed to Niger to aid the country’s forces in fighting terrorism and developing its military capacity.

Relations between Niger and its western partners have worsened since Niger’s military overthrew democratically-elected President Mohamed Bazoum.

This week, France began negotiations with Niger’s military junta regarding the withdrawal of some of its 1,500 troops from the country.