Algerian parliament’s upper house approves troop deployment to Niger

What the report says

Algeria’s upper house of parliament has approved sending troops to neighboring Niger, according to Al Jazeera. The vote took place during an emergency session on Sunday, following recent military talks and a cooperation agreement between the two countries. Under Algeria’s constitution, overseas troop deployments require approval from both parliamentary chambers by a two-thirds majority.

The report says the planned mission would be the first Algerian military deployment outside the country since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, if the lower house also gives its approval. The forces are expected to help secure oil facilities in Niger, though the exact scope of the deployment was not detailed in the public article.

Al Jazeera reported that the decision followed a visit last week by Niger’s defense minister, Gen. Salifou Modi, who met with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Algeria’s army chief, Gen. Said Chanegriha. During that visit, the two sides signed a military cooperation protocol, but no details were disclosed.

The article also notes that Algeria said earlier this month it had sent fighter jets to Niger after unrest linked to an alleged coup attempt in Niamey. More broadly, the move comes amid a period of closer political, military and economic ties between Algeria and Niger after earlier tensions.