Editing Niger Armed Forces (section)

=== Counter-terrorism defense cooperation ===


U.S. and France defense cooperation with Niger has intensified post 9/11 as part of the Global War on Terror.<ref name="jeuneafrique">[http://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20140325171053/ Niger - États-Unis : une coopération militaire soutenue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011214514/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/Article/ARTJAWEB20140325171053/ |date=2022-10-11 }} (retrieved on July 26, 2014).</ref> The Niger defense forces along with forces from [[Chad]], [[Mali]], [[Mauritania]] have become major partners of France and the United States in counter-terrorism efforts in Africa. The counter-terrorism efforts focused mainly on [[Al-Qaeda|Al-Qaïda]] affiliated groups  in Africa, in particular the Algerian Group for Call and Combat which will later become AQMI. The collapse of the [[Muammar Gaddafi|Gaddafi]] regime, followed with the disbandment of his arsenal in the region, accentuated the precarious situation of many sahelian nations. The [[Northern Mali conflict]] and beginning of [[Operation Serval]] to free northern Mali of Islamic militant groups solidified the role of Niger in counter-terrorism activities in the region. Following an agreement with the Niger government, the air force base 101 of Niamey became a permanent drone hub for French and U.S. forces since 2013.<ref name="jeuneafrique" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.algerie1.com/actualite/mise-en-oeuvre-des-drones-us-obama-envoie-des-militaires-au-niger/ |title=Obama sends U.S. military to Niger (retrieved in 7/26/2014). |access-date=2014-07-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810092943/http://www.algerie1.com/actualite/mise-en-oeuvre-des-drones-us-obama-envoie-des-militaires-au-niger/ |archive-date=2014-08-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>[http://nigerdiaspora.net/index.php/les-infos-du-pays/politique-niger/politique-niger/item/66122-presence-militaire-etrangere-au-niger-des-bases-s-implantent-durablement Foreign military bases in Niger] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727082122/http://nigerdiaspora.net/index.php/les-infos-du-pays/politique-niger/politique-niger/item/66122-presence-militaire-etrangere-au-niger-des-bases-s-implantent-durablement |date=2014-07-27 }}. Article by Nigerdiaspora.net (retrieved on 7/26/2014).</ref> Drone intelligence gathering activities in Mali and the region were carried out from this base during [[Operation Serval|Serval]]. Niamey has become the Intelligence gathering pole of French and U.S. forces in the region.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20140719-niger-niamey-francois-hollande-visite-base-101-centre-drones-francais/| title = Operation Barkhane (retrieved on 7/27/2014).| date = 19 July 2014| access-date = 27 July 2014| archive-date = 27 July 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140727000931/http://www.rfi.fr/afrique/20140719-niger-niamey-francois-hollande-visite-base-101-centre-drones-francais/| url-status = live}}</ref>

In March 2024, Niger announced it was ending its security relationship with the United States, which had been in place since 2012.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Turse |first=Nick |date=2024-04-18 |title=U.S. Troops in Niger Say They're "Stranded" and Can't Get Mail, Medicine |url=https://theintercept.com/2024/04/18/niger-us-troops-stranded-gaetz-report/ |access-date=2024-04-21 |website=The Intercept |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-04-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420183734/https://theintercept.com/2024/04/18/niger-us-troops-stranded-gaetz-report/ |url-status=live }}</ref> According to Niger, the security pact violated Niger's constitution.<ref name=":02" /> In a report issued by United States member of Congress [[Matt Gaetz]] the following month, Gaetz stated that the United States embassy in Niger was suppressing information related to the decay of [[Niger–United States relations|Niger-United States diplomatic relations]].<ref name=":02" /> According to Gaetz's report, Niger has not authorized flights for United States Department of Defense efforts, including the sending of food, equipment, mail, or medical supplies.<ref name=":02" />