U.S. Withdraws Troops from Lake Chad Operation

The United States has withdrawn most of its troops involved in the Lake Chad operation, as announced by General Dagvin R. Anderson during a digital press briefing following the African Chief of Defence Conference on Thursday.

The withdrawal is part of the outcome of military operations in the Lake Chad Basin. However, the U.S. will maintain its intelligence cooperation with Nigeria, responding to requests from the Nigerian government to support operations in the region against the Islamic State (ISI).

General Anderson emphasized the importance of intelligence collaboration and noted that the U.S. has been a key partner in Nigeria's military efforts, contributing to significant gains against ISI. He highlighted the recent interception of a 31-ton cocaine shipment, showcasing the effectiveness of coordinated intelligence efforts.

The U.S. plans to deploy 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to support intelligence surveillance and counterterror operations in the Lake Chad Basin.