Italy Cuts Troops in Niger to Free up Military Base Space for Civilians

ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s authorities mentioned on Sunday it had decreased the variety of troops it has in Niger to make room in its navy base for civilians who may have safety from a fragile safety state of affairs.

West Africa’s regional bloc ECOWAS has threatened navy intervention in Niger until a July 26 navy coup is reversed. A deadline for the deposed president, Mohamed Bazoum, to be reinstated expires on Sunday.

The Italian defence ministry mentioned in a press release {that a} navy aircraft took off from the Nigerien capital Niamey and landed in Rome late on Saturday with 65 Italian troopers, in addition to 10 U.S. troopers.

The airlift was organized to extend the “logistical autonomy” of the Italian navy base, “optimising its lodging capability, if it turns into essential to soak up civilian compatriots and, in an emergency, evacuate them.”

The ministry mentioned extra flights out of Niger are deliberate within the coming days, including that for the second 250 Italian troops, deployed for counter-insurgency and navy coaching missions, stay within the nation.

Final week Italy evacuated 36 of its nationals from Niamey, in addition to dozens extra residents of different nations, leaving about 40 Italian civilians, principally NGO employees, nonetheless current in Niger.

Italy is one among a string of Western nations together with the US and France which have troops in Niger, which has been an ally of the West in opposition to Islamist insurgencies in West Africa’s Sahel area.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini; Modifying by Frances Kerry)

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