Following a joint counterterrorism operation in Nigeria’s northeast, the United States has reduced the number of troops it had deployed for the mission, US military officials have confirmed.
U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said most of the personnel sent specifically for the Lake Chad operation have now been withdrawn after the task was completed.
The May operation, carried out alongside Nigerian forces, reportedly led to the killing of nearly 200 Daesh fighters, including a senior commander of the group. Africom’s General Dagvin Anderson explained that the withdrawal mainly affects combat troops assigned to the specific operation.
“We have withdrawn much of our forces that were just there for that operation”, he said, adding that cooperation with Nigeria continues through intelligence sharing and other support.
Nigeria’s Defence Minister Christopher Musa said the US troops were deployed strictly for the offensive and left after fulfilling their role, while noting that some training and advisory personnel remain in the country. Africom said troop levels could continue to change based on operational needs and ongoing collaboration with Nigerian forces.
The insurgency in northeast Nigeria, driven by Boko Haram and Daesh West Africa Province, has persisted for years, with recent attacks increasing pressure on security forces in the region.
