Last French Soldiers Depart Niger After Decadelong Occupation, But U.S. Troops Remain

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.