US begins pulling military equipment from Niger ahead of withdrawal deadline

The US began pulling military equipment and additional personnel out of Niger on Friday after waiting months for the ruling military junta to approve US military flights into the country, the US Department of Defense and the Department of National Defense of the Republic of Niger announced Saturday, Report informs via CNN.

The news comes ahead of a September 15 withdrawal deadline agreed to by the two countries.

The US priority was first to remove sensitive equipment from Niger, a source familiar with the matter said.

Flight tracking websites showed US C-17 cargo aircraft en route to the Nigerien capital of Niamey on Friday. Much of the US military and equipment has been in Niamey at what’s known as Base 101. A source confirmed this flight was to withdraw military equipment and some personnel.

Last month, the US and Niger reached an agreement for the withdrawal of American forces from the country, giving the military four months to pull approximately 1,000 US personnel and military equipment from the West African nation.