Dozens of U.S. Army personnel will leave Chad in Central Africa, at least temporarily, as the two governments discuss their security relationship.

The departure of U.S. military personnel in Chad and Niger comes as both countries are turning away from years of cooperation with the United States and forming partnerships with Russia.

The Pentagon says the United States will pull the majority of its troops from Chad and Niger as it works to restore key agreements governing what role there might be there for the American military and its counterterrorism operations.

The United States is planning to temporarily withdraw some of its troops from Chad, U.S. officials said on Thursday, a move that comes just days after Washington was forced to agree to remove its troops from neighboring Niger.

The US is preparing to negotiate with the military leadership in Niger about the "organized and responsible withdrawal" of its troops from the country.