The US will withdraw 75 US Army Special Forces personnel from Chad in the coming days, The New York Times reported on Thursday, citing US officials. The Pentagon later said the move was “temporary” as the US is looking to sign a new deal to continue its military presence in the country.
The news comes after Chad’s government sent a letter to the US threatening to scrap the agreement that justifies the US military presence in the country. US officials said they are hoping to resume talks on military cooperation after Chad’s elections on May 6.
The Green Berets are based at a military base in Chad’s capital, Ndjamena. The US officials said that a handful of US troops who work at the embassy or in other advisory roles will stay in Chad.
The withdrawal comes after the US said that it agreed to a request from the government in neighboring Niger to pull troops out. However, a top US military official said on Wednesday that the US hasn’t made a final decision to leave Niger or Chad.
Hellbound and Down 