France to begin pulling out troops from Niger this week

Paris says it is unable to work with puschtists, leaving efforts to counter Islamists in Sahel in disarray

France will begin withdrawing troops from Niger this week following a coup in the west African country, in what marks a turning point in western nations' efforts to counter a decade-long Islamist insurgency in the Sahel region.

We will begin our disengagement operation this week, in good order, safely and in coordination with the Nigeriens," the French military headquarters said.