Algeria’s president orders troop deployment to neighbouring Niger

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has ordered troops to Niger to protect energy and economic interests shared by the two countries. The presidency said Nigerien authorities requested military assistance, and both chambers of Algeria’s parliament approved the deployment at an emergency session on Sunday. Senator Belkacem Boulghiti said the soldiers would protect economic infrastructure, particularly Algerian oil facilities, and would not be sent to wage war. The number of troops and their arrival date have not been announced; if carried out, this would be Algeria’s first overseas military deployment since 1973.