"Niger's Political Crisis Escalates: France Evacuates Citizens Amid War Warning"

France has initiated the evacuation of hundreds of French and European citizens from Niger following warnings from neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso that any outside intervention to restore the ousted government would be seen as a declaration of war. The military coup in Niger has raised concerns in the Sahel region, known for its instability and Islamist insurgency. Spain and Italy are also preparing to evacuate their citizens, while Germany has urged its citizens to join the French flights. The recent coups in the region have strained relations with former colonial power France, which has troops stationed in Niger.