In the First Phase... 400 French Soldiers to Withdraw from Niger

The military council in Niger revealed, on Thursday evening, that 400 French soldiers stationed in the town of Oula in the southwestern part of the country will be the first group to leave Niger after France announced the beginning of the withdrawal of its troops within days. The council stated in a communiqué broadcast by national radio that an airbase in the capital, Niamey, where the majority of French soldiers are stationed, will be dismantled by the end of the year. France has announced that it will start withdrawing its forces from Niger in a matter of days, following President Emmanuel Macron's declaration last month that he refuses to be a "hostage" to those who carried out the coup there, as well as announcing the termination of military cooperation with the West African nation. The withdrawal of 1,500 soldiers from Niger will leave a significant gap in Western efforts to confront Islamic armed groups that have been in rebellion for nearly a decade in the Sahel region, also striking a blow to France's influence in the area. The military council in Niger stated that it will ensure the departure of French troops occurs in an organized and safe manner "while respecting our interests and circumstances." The council urged citizens to exercise caution during this "transitional period."