This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
December 24, 2019
US forces have been stationed in West Africa for years, with a presence of between 6,000 and 7,000 troops.
These troops are mainly based in West Africa, but also in countries like Somalia.
According to a recent report, the US is considering withdrawing its troops from the region, which would also end US support for French military efforts in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
The Pentagon supports these efforts by providing intelligence, logistical support, and aerial refueling at an annual cost of $45 million.
France has maintained a significant military presence in Mali since 2013, when it launched an intervention against Al-Qaeda-linked jihadists.
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper is reportedly studying a global redeployment of US forces, with a decreased emphasis on anti-terrorism operations and a stronger focus on confronting China and Russia.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly promised to end the US's "endless wars," and has already ordered significant reductions in troops deployed in Syria and Afghanistan.
