The U.S. has handed over its last military base in Niger, Airbase 201 in Agadez, to local authorities, following the earlier withdrawal from Airbase 101 in Niamey.

The U.S. Department of Defense and Niger’s Ministry of Defense confirmed this in a joint statement.

American troops have until September 15 to complete their withdrawal, with around two dozen remaining for administrative tasks at the U.S. embassy.

This move follows Niger’s ruling junta ending an agreement for U.S. military operations and inviting Russian military trainers for security reinforcement, the Associated Press has reported.

The departure of U.S. troops has significant implications for counterterrorism efforts in the Sahel region, where groups like JNIM, linked to al-Qaida, are active.

Written by B.C. Begley