The French government has begun withdrawing troops from Chad after the defense agreement was terminated, according to Reuters news agency.

In a surprise move, the government of Chad—an ally of the West in the fight against Islamist militants in the region—ended the defence cooperation pact on November 28.

Terms and conditions of the withdrawal and whether any French troops will remain in the central African country altogether have yet to be agreed, but on December 10, the first Mirage warplanes returned to their base in eastern France.

“It marks the beginning of the return of French equipment stationed in N’Djamena,” Army spokesperson Colonel Guillaume Vernet said after two Mirage fighter jets left Chad.

France has already withdrawn its troops from Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger due to military coups and growing anti-French sentiment in these countries.

The withdrawal from Chad will be the final stage of France’s longstanding military presence in the Sahel region and will end its direct military operations against Islamist groups.

Currently, about 1,000 French troops remain in Chad. According to Vernet, finalizing the schedule of the contingent’s withdrawal may take several weeks.

Chad’s Army spokesman, Chanane Issakha Acheikh, confirmed the departure of the French warplanes and said that the public would be kept informed on the withdrawal “until the definitive departure of the French forces.”

In September, Militarnyi reported that Hungary intends to send its troops to Chad.

The main aim of the Hungarian military will be to support the mission to stop the uncontrolled migration of African people to Europe.

For this purpose, about 200 Hungarian soldiers will be deployed in Chad and will help improve the situation in that country.