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December 22, 2023

Last French Soldiers Depart Niger After Decadelong Occupation, But U.S. Troops Remain
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France is closing its embassy in Niger indefinitely amid ongoing
tensions between the two nations following the July military coup which
ousted President Mohamed Bazoum. The French ambassador to Niger left in
September. Around 150 French troops are departing Niger today, the last
batch of soldiers to leave since the withdrawal started in October. But
the military junta has not ordered U.S. military bases to close, where
over 600 troops remain in the largely failed fight against jihadist
groups.


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