“This consolidation represents prudent military planning to safeguard U.S. assets while continuing to address the threat of violent extremism in the region,” one of the officials said.
Over the past decade, U.S. troops have trained Niger’s forces in counter-terrorism and conducted drone missions against Islamic State and an al Qaeda affiliate in the region.
The administration of President Joe Biden has not formally labeled the military takeover in Niger a coup, a designation that would limit what security assistance Washington can provide the country.
The United States has been pressing for a diplomatic resolution of the crisis that erupted on July 26 when Niger military officers seized power, deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and placed him under house arrest.
Since 2018, it has been used to target Islamic State and al Qaeda affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), in the Sahel.
Military juntas have come to power through coups in Mali and Burkina Faso - both neighbors of Niger - in recent years.
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