France Begins Withdrawal of Troops from Niger After Days

France will start withdrawing its troops from Niger in the coming days, following President Emmanuel Macron's statement last month that he refuses to be "held hostage" by the coup leaders there and will end military cooperation with the West African nation. The decision to withdraw 1,500 troops from Niger leaves a gap in Western efforts to combat a nearly decade-long insurgency by Islamist armed groups. It also represents a significant blow to France's influence in the Sahel region of Africa and may allow Russia to expand its influence in the vast, insecure territories of the area. The French Ministry of Armed Forces stated in a press release today, Thursday, that the troops will return to France, and the military exit will be completed by the end of the year. Niger was the last major Western ally in the Sahel region until the coup on July 26, which led the military council to request France's departure. Macron has also recalled the French ambassador from Niger.