American military intervention in Niger

The American intervention in Niger is the deployment of special operations forces and unmanned aerial vehicles by the United States in support of the Nigerien government and French military in counter-terrorism operations against militant groups in Niger as part of Operation Juniper Shield.[17] The deployment of U.S. forces in Niger and in the greater West Africa region involves the training of host nation partner forces, enhancement of host nation security assistance efforts, and facilitates counter-terrorism and surveillance and reconnaissance missions in support of host nation partner forces.[18] The U.S. has deployed drones from the Air Force and CIA in order to assist American and Nigerien forces in counter-terrorism operations, monitor routes used by militants in Niger into neighboring nations, and to assist ongoing operations in Libya.[19][20][21]

American intervention in Niger
Part of Jihadist insurgency in Niger and War on terror (Operation Juniper Shield)

U.S. and Nigerien soldiers training in April 2018
DateFebruary 5, 2013 – present
(10 years, 8 months, 2 weeks and 6 days)
Location
Niger
Status Ongoing
Belligerents

 United States

In support of:
 Niger
(until coup d'état)
 France
(2014–23)[1]
Training:
 Australia
 Belgium[2]
 Canada[3]
 Germany[4]
 Italy[5]

Jihadists:
Al-Qaeda

 ISIL

Commanders and leaders

United States Joe Biden (2021–present)
United States Donald Trump (2017–2021)
United States Barack Obama (2013–2017)
United States Jim Mattis
United States Thomas D. Waldhauser
United States James C. Vechery

France Emmanuel Macron (2017–2023)
France François Hollande (2014–2017)

al-Qaeda Iyad Ag Ghaly

Islamic State Adnan Abu Walid al-Sahrawi
Islamic State Abubakar Shekau
Islamic State Abu Musab al-Barnawi
Islamic State Doundou Chefou

Abubakar Shekau †

Abu Umaimata
Strength
1,100 personnel[6][7] ISIL-West Africa: ~3,500 fighters (April 2018)
ISGS: ~300 fighters[8]
Casualties and losses

United States 5 killed (1 non hostile)[9][10]
4 injured (2 non hostile)[11]

Niger 5 killed, 8 wounded (While operating with the United States)[12]

France 1 killed (non hostile) (while operating with the United States)[13]

32 militants killed in two separate attacks [14][15]

Unknown killed in other attacks between 2015 and 2017[16]

Unknown killed by drone strikes in Southern Libya

At least 1 weapons cache

The deployment of US troops in Niger had been largely unreported until an ambush outside the village of Tongo Tongo by Islamic State in the Greater Sahara militants left four American and four Nigerien soldiers dead.[22][23][24] The ambush created controversy in the public and media with many people asking as to why the US had so many troops across Africa and specifically Niger which at the time had more than 800 US personnel in country.[25] In 2018 the Trump Administration and the United States Africa Command laid out plans to withdraw around 25% of all US Military forces in Africa with around 10% withdrawing from West Africa so they could focus on threats from Russia and China while still remaining in the area.[26][27]

In July 2023, the Nigerien coup d'état occurred, leading to the 2023 Nigerien crisis. In September 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will withdraw all 1,500 troops from Niger by the end of 2023, in the aftermath of the coup in the country.[28]

Background

In the last several decades, the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa has been heavily affected by the rise of Islamic terrorist groups and militias as a result of the region's porous borders, weak central governments, ethnic factionalism, and more recently an influx of arms following the collapse of the Gaddafi regime in Libya.[29] Groups such as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, and Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, among others have flourished in the region's sprawling and unpoliced deserts.[30] Niger has been a particularly violent hotbed of Islamic extremism and anti-government attacks. Kidnappings of Westerners in the country date back to as early as 2009 and the execution of a French hostage, Michel Germaneau, in 2010 led to a French declaration of war on AQIM and a greater involvement of French military forces in Niger.[31][32]

A Lockheed C-130 Hercules of the U.S. Air Force at Mano Dayak International Airport, Agadez.

The United States had been providing security assistance to Niger following the September 11 attacks as part of the Pan-Sahel Initiative which included the allocation of equipment to security forces and periodic training of Nigerien forces by U.S. troops.[33]

First lady of the United States Jill Biden tours the U.S. Exercise Relief Facility in Niger.

In January 2013, the United States and Niger signed a status of forces agreement to allow U.S. troops and aircraft to operate in Niger in a non-combat capacity in order to support French counterterrorism efforts.[34] Niger's president, Mahamadou Issoufou, welcomed the deployment citing various threats exploiting local government's inability extend its control to rural areas.[35] According to U.S. and Nigerien officials, the deployment of unarmed Predator drones was to provide surveillance capabilities over Mali and Niger. The following month, the Obama administration deployed a force of about 100 U.S. troops to Niger in order to facilitate the drone operation in Niamey and partner with French intelligence.[36][37]

Attacks

Between 2015 and 2017, American personnel had been involved in at least 10 firefights while operating with partner Nigeriens. In these past firefights excluding the October 2017 ambush no American or Nigerien personnel were killed or wounded. In some of the attacks enemy combatants had been killed with at least 32 killed in the October and December 2017 incidents.

Tongo Tongo ambush
Further information: Tongo Tongo ambush

On October 4, 2017 a joint American and Nigerien force of 46 personnel and eight vehicles was ambushed outside the village of Tongo Tongo by an estimated force of over 50 militants with around 20 motorcycles and 12 technicals from the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS). During the firefight which lasted for more than three hours, four American, four Nigerien and at least 21 ISGS militants died and eight Nigerien and two Americans including the teams commander were wounded. The battle came to an end after French Mirage 2000 fighter jets and helicopters carrying 53 special forces and three Nigerien response elements of at least 100 soldiers and a helicopter reached the village, however the fight was over as the enemy had departed the area.

December 2017 attack
Main article: Attack on Nigerien and American soldiers (December 2017)
U.S. and Nigerien soldiers training together in Diffa.

On December 6, 2017 two months after the October ambush a joint force of American Green Berets and Nigerien soldiers were attacked by Islamic State – West Africa Province militants in the Chad Lake basin Region. During the firefight 11 militants died including two wearing suicide vests, one weapons cache was also destroyed during the operation. No American or Nigerien soldiers were killed or wounded.[15]

2023 Niger Crisis
Main articles: 2023 Nigerien crisis and 2023 Nigerien coup d'état

On 26 July 2023, The Presidential Guard of Niger detained President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup d'état, with presidential guard commander General Abdourahamane Tchiani suspending the Nigerien constitution, and declaring himself to be the leader of a new military junta.[38] This has sparked a military crisis between the Nigerian Junta and the combined militaries of the Economic Community of West African States, who are calling for a restoration of Bazoum's presidency. On 23 August 2023, the junta announced that it will evict French and US troops from Niger even though the USA was trying to find ways to keep troops in the country to counter terrorists.[39][40] In September 2023, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will withdraw all 1,500 troops from Niger by the end of 2023, in the aftermath of the coup in the country.[41]

Other incidents

On February 2, 2017, U.S. commando Shawn Thomas was killed and another injured in a non-combat vehicle accident in Niger.[42]

On December 9, 2018 a French soldier was killed and a US servicemember was injured in a car accident in northern Niger, near Arlit. Both the French and US military are probing the incident as drinking while driving related.[43]

In October 2016, American humanitarian Jeffrey Woodke was kidnapped from his home by armed men. He is believed to be held by Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JMIN), and a ransom has been demanded.[44] He was released in 2023[45]

Drone base
U.S. Air Force member, hands a bottle of water to a local child near Air Base 201.

The United States constructed Niger Air Base 201 in the city of Agadez after the Nigerien government granted approval for the base in 2014. After several years of construction, the base began operations in 2019 and has since become the central hub U.S. operations in Niger, shifting away from Niamey. The air base has a 6,800 foot runway and cost approximately $110 million to complete. The base allows U.S. drones to fly missions over the region and maintains the ability to accommodate large transport aircraft such as the C-17 Globemaster.[46][47] After the 2023 coup the U.S. Air Forces Africa declared its readiness to evacuate American drone bases in Niger as the situation heightens.[48]

See also

References
  1. "France to Withdraw Troops From Niger After Military Coup". The New York Times. The New York Times. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  2. "Niger coup: Belgium won't suspend development aid". Belga News Agency. Belga News Agency. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  3. "Canada keeps troops in Niger as the West hedges its bets on coup response". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  4. "German government to deploy troops to Niger as part of EU mission". Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  5. "Italy cuts troops in Niger to free up military base space for civilians". Reuters. Reuters. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  6. "US military mission in Niger in focus after coup". Reuters. Reuters. August 11, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
  7. "U.S. Secret Wars in Africa Rage on, Despite Talk of Downsizing".
  8. "U.S. Military Operational Activity in the Sahel". January 25, 2019.
  9. Callimachi, Rukmini; Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric; Blinder, Alan; Gibbons-Neff, Thomas (February 17, 2018). "'An Endless War': Why 4 U.S. Soldiers Died in a Remote African Desert" – via NYTimes.com.
  10. Myers, Meghann (August 7, 2017). "Army: Green Beret dies in non-combat accident in Niger". Army Times.
  11. Myers, Kyle Rempfer, Meghann (December 14, 2018). "US special operations soldier injured, French troop killed in car crash in Africa". Army Times.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. "Embuscade au Niger mercredi: 4 soldats nigériens tués et 8 blessés". Slate Afrique.
  13. Africa, News (December 10, 2018). "Niger: French soldier killed in road accident". Archived from the original on December 24, 2018. Retrieved December 23, 2018. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  14. "New details from Niger ambush: when US troops sensed something wrong". ABC News. October 23, 2017.
  15. "US, Nigerien troops kill 11 ISIS militants in previously undisclosed mission". Stars and Stripes.
  16. Murphy, Mike. "U.S. troops involved in at least 10 undisclosed firefights in West Africa: report". MarketWatch.
  17. "Deciphering the new CIA drone base in Niger". The Bureau of Investigative Journalism.
  18. "Why US troops are in Niger". ABC News. October 23, 2017.
  19. Walsh, Declan; Schmitt, Eric (March 25, 2018). "U.S. Strikes Qaeda Target in Southern Libya, Expanding Shadow War There". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  20. "Deciphering the new CIA drone base in Niger".
  21. "The Presence of Lethal U.S. Drones in Niger is Expanding". Council on Foreign Relations.
  22. Sisk, Richard (May 11, 2018). "How They Fell: Army Team 'Fought to the End' in Niger Ambush". Military.com.
  23. Leithead, Alastair (May 11, 2018). "US Niger ambush: How raft of failures ended in death". BBC News.
  24. Browne, Ryan (May 11, 2018). "Military investigation finds series of failures led to deadly Niger ambush - CNNPolitics". Cnn.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  25. Myre, Greg (April 28, 2018). "The Military Doesn't Advertise It, But U.S. Troops Are All Over Africa". NPR.org.
  26. Browne, Ryan (November 15, 2018). "US to reduce number of troops in Africa - CNNPolitics". Cnn.com. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
  27. Cooper, Helene; Schmitt, Eric (August 1, 2018). "U.S. Prepares to Reduce Troops and Shed Missions in Africa". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  28. "France to Withdraw Troops From Niger After Military Coup". The New York Times. The New York Times. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  29. Nichols, Michelle (April 9, 2013). "Libya arms fueling conflicts in Syria, Mali and beyond: U.N. experts". U.S. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  30. "Gunmen kill 11 soldiers in southwest Niger". Reuters. November 5, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  31. Pidd, Helen (June 3, 2009). "Background: The kidnapping of Edwin Dyer". the Guardian. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  32. "French PM declares 'war' on al Qaeda after hostage killed". France 24. July 27, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  33. Pike, John (January 1, 1970). "VOA News Report". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  34. Harris, Paul (January 29, 2013). "US signs deal with Niger to operate military drones in west African state". the Guardian. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  35. "Drone base in Niger gives U.S. a strategic foothold in West Africa". Washington Post. March 22, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
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  38. "Niger soldiers declare coup on national TV". BBC. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  39. Liebermann, Natasha Bertrand,Oren (August 17, 2023). "Biden administration searching for ways to keep US forces in Niger to continue anti-terror operations despite overthrowing of government | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved August 24, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  40. "Niger Junta Recalls Ambassador From Nigeria – Concise News". Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  41. "France to Withdraw Troops From Niger After Military Coup". The New York Times. The New York Times. September 25, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  42. "Special Forces soldier dies in accident in Niger".
  43. "Deadly Crash Highlights Concerns of Misconduct by U.S. Troops in Africa". The New York Times. December 11, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  44. "Wife of US hostage in Africa reveals captors' ransom demand". AP NEWS. November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  45. Atwood, Kylie (March 20, 2023). "American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freed | CNN Politics". CNN.
  46. "A Shadowy War's Newest Front: A Drone Base Rising From Saharan Dust". The New York Times. April 22, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  47. Babb, Carla (November 1, 2019). "US-Constructed Air Base in Niger Begins Operations". VOA. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
  48. Knickmeyer, Ellen (August 18, 2023). "US readying plans to evacuate drone bases if necessary under Niger's new junta, commander says". AP News. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
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