Beginning of U.S. Troop Withdrawal from Niger

U.S. troops have begun their withdrawal from Niger, with the process expected to be completed by September 15th. The two countries revealed in a joint statement today from Niger's Defense Minister Salifou Modibo and U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations Christopher Maier that an agreement had been reached to disengage by mid-September. This decision follows days of talks earlier this week between a delegation that included representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense and their Nigerien counterparts in the capital, Niamey.