The Italian government announced today, Sunday, that it has reduced the number of its troops in Niger to make space in its military base there for civilians who may need protection amid a fragile security situation. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is threatening military intervention in Niger if the coup that took place on July 26 is not reversed.
The Italian Ministry of Defense stated that a military aircraft took off from Niamey, the capital of Niger, and landed in Rome late Saturday night, carrying 65 Italian soldiers and ten American soldiers. The ministry added that the airlift was arranged to increase the "logistical independence" of the Italian military base "to enhance its capacity to host civilians if it becomes necessary to accommodate and evacuate them in an emergency."
The Ministry of Defense also stated that more flights from Niger are scheduled in the coming days, noting that 250 Italian soldiers are currently in Niger with the aim of combating insurgency and conducting military training, and they will remain there for the time being. Last week, Italy evacuated 36 of its nationals from Niamey, in addition to dozens of citizens from other countries, leaving about 40 Italian civilians, most of them working for non-governmental organizations in Niger. Italy is one of several Western countries, including the United States and France, with forces in Niger, which has long been a Western ally in the fight against Islamist militant insurgency in the Sahel region of West Africa.
