The United States has begun to reposition some of its troops in Niger, the scene of a coup d’état in late July, as a precautionary measure, the Pentagon announced on Thursday.
The Department of Defence is repositioning some of its personnel and assets from Air Base 101 in Niamey to Air Base 201 in Agadez, further north, a Pentagon spokeswoman, Sabrina Singh, told reporters.
“There is no immediate threat to our personnel or violence on the ground,” she added, describing the move as a precautionary measure.
Ms. Singh said “some non-essential personnel and contractors” had left the country several weeks ago.
The military overthrew Niger’s president, Mohamed Bazoum, on 26 July and placed him and his family under house arrest at the presidential palace.
The US has some 1,100 troops stationed in Niger. They have been operating against jihadist groups active in the region.
