Canadian special forces have also been involved in the U.S.-led Flintlock training exercises in Africa for more than 10 years. The military officers behind the July coup in Niger were trained at Flintlock exercises.Canadian special forces have retreated on plans to continue on in Niger and have pulled out remaining commandos from that nation.

The decision comes as Niger’s military leaders move towards more co-operation with Russia.

Article content
Originally, National Defence issued a statement to this newspaper Dec. 7 that Canadian special forces would remain in Niger even though the military it had been involved in training had turfed the country’s democratically elected government.

Article content
The small team of Canadian special forces members wouldn’t train members of Niger’s military, but would remain in that country to conduct planning for future activities in the region, the department noted at the time.