Algeria to send troops to Niger in first foreign deployment since 1973
Election
Originally published by Kahawatungu — Read the original article →
Algeria is to send troops to Niger in its first foreign deployment since sending forces to Egypt during the Arab-Israeli war in 1973.
The deployment follows a visit to Algiers by Niger’s defence minister, as the country seeks support against armed groups, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda or Islamic State.
Algeria has economic interests in Niger, including a planned gas pipeline that would carry Nigerian gas through Niger to Algeria. The troops are expected to protect energy facilities in northern Niger, near the Libyan border.