US orders evacuation of some embassy staff, families from Niger

The US ordered the evacuation of some staff and families from its embassy in Niger after military officers seized power there, the State Department said, even as the mission will remain open and senior leadership will continue working from there.

Niger is a key Western ally in the fight against insurgents. Foreign powers have condemned the takeover, fearing it could allow the militants to gain ground.

"Given ongoing developments in Niger and out of an abundance of caution, the Department of State is ordering the temporary departure of non-emergency US government personnel and eligible family members from the US Embassy in Niamey," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.

"The US remains committed to our relationship with the people of Niger and to Nigerien democracy. We remain diplomatically engaged at the highest levels."

He said the embassy remains open for limited, emergency services to US citizens.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity prior to the announcement, said US personnel would be moved out of Niger by aircraft chartered by the State Department and military aircraft would not be used. The official said "core" staff will remain at the embassy.

The State Department is advising Americans not to travel to Niger.

France, the US, Germany and Italy have troops in Niger on counterinsurgency and training missions, helping the army to fight groups linked to al Qaeda and the IS.

France and Italy are evacuating European citizens from Niger.

There has been no announcement of troops being withdrawn so far. There are about 1,100 US troops in Niger, where the US military operates from two bases.