All remaining U.S. troops stationed in Niger will depart by mid-September, according to U.S. officials and a joint statement from both countries.


The withdrawal deadline of September 15 was mutually agreed upon after several days of meetings between May 15-19, as stated in a joint announcement from the Pentagon and Niger's national defense department on Sunday. Fewer than a thousand U.S. troops currently remain in Niger.


This decision marks a setback in U.S. efforts to combat terrorism in the Sahel, a region in sub-Saharan Africa where ISIS and al-Qaeda affiliates are active. Russian troops are also stationed in Niger at the invitation of the country's military junta.


A senior U.S. defense official, briefing reporters on a Pentagon call Sunday afternoon, expressed unawareness of Russia's current activities in Niger and at Air Base 101. The official did not expect Russia to fill the counterterrorism void left by the U.S. withdrawal.


"I don't think this is a situation where counterterrorism responsibilities will be handed over to Wagner or a similar Russian entity. The Nigerien military is too capable for that," the senior defense official stated.


The U.S. aims to remove as much American equipment as feasible, according to a senior military official who also briefed reporters. "The goal is to take as much as we can to protect U.S. taxpayer investments, though significant infrastructure, including the airbase, will remain," the official explained.


Despite the ongoing troop withdrawal, Nigerien officials have indicated a willingness for future cooperation. The American diplomatic presence will continue, and the official suggested that it is beneficial to leave the military infrastructure to the Nigeriens.


"We are committed to a long-term relationship with Niger. While our departure will necessitate a reset, it's not in our interest to deny them the use of the equipment," the official noted.


Sensitive, lethal, and hazardous equipment will be removed with the departing troops. "A lot of what remains will either be immobile or too costly for the U.S. to remove," the official said.


The U.S. is in discussions with neighboring countries to maintain some of the departing military capability in the region, although no concrete agreements have been reached yet.