US to pull troops from Chad and Niger as the African nations question its counterterrorism role

The Pentagon says the United States will pull the majority of its troops from Chad and Niger as it works to restore key agreements governing what role there might be there for the American military and its counterterrorism operations. The Pentagon spokesman said Thursday the U.S. will relocate most of the approximately 100 forces it has deployed in Chad, and the majority of the 1,000 U.S. personnel assigned to Niger are also expected to depart. Both African countries have been integral to the U.S. military’s efforts to counter violent extremist organizations across the Sahel region. But Niger’s ruling junta ended an agreement last month that allows U.S. troops to operate in the West African country.