Johannesburg, South Africa - The United States has suspended security cooperation with military forces in Niger as Americans have begun escaping the country amidst escalating tensions. However, U.S. officials have hesitated to label the situation as a coup, which would necessitate a complete halt to American security and economic assistance to the landlocked state. Niger has become a crucial democratic ally in the tumultuous Sahel region of northern Africa, where the U.S. conducts significant counterterrorism-focused military operations.

U.S. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that the Biden administration is closely monitoring the situation and referred to it as an "attempted power grab." While there is currently no immediate threat to U.S. citizens in Niger, a group of Americans managed to board an evacuation flight to Italy. European nations, including Italy, have been working swiftly to evacuate their citizens from Niger following an attack on the French embassy by demonstrators on Sunday.

The situation has prompted neighboring countries to intervene. Senior defense officials from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which includes Niger, are scheduled to meet in Abuja, Nigeria, to discuss the coup. ECOWAS has warned the military commander responsible for the uprising, giving him until August 6 to reinstate President Mohamed Bazoum. Failure to comply could result in the use of force by ECOWAS. The bloc has also imposed tough sanctions on the coup leaders and halted all trade and financial transfers between Niger and its 14 other member states.

The military junta currently in power in Niger has vowed to defend against any acts of aggression from ECOWAS. Support for the rebellious generals comes from military regimes in Mali and Burkina Faso, both of which are also ECOWAS members. These countries have stated that an attack on Niger would be considered a declaration of war against them as well.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the United States' support for President Bazoum and Niger's democracy during a phone call on Tuesday. The U.S. government is standing firmly behind the Nigerien president and his country's people. CBS News sources have revealed that neither the U.S. nor French militaries have...