Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Algeria approves sending troops to Niger
Algeria’s parliament approved sending army units to Niger on Sunday, in a move that could mark its first foreign troop deployment since 1973.
The planned deployment is to Madama in northern Niger, near the Libyan border, at a former French military base.
No troops have officially been deployed yet, and the sources differ on whether both parliamentary chambers had completed their votes at the time of publication.
Niger is facing attacks by armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, and Algeria sees security in the Sahel as a regional priority.
The vote follows a period of strained relations after Niger’s 2023 coup and a dispute over Algeria’s downing of a Malian drone.
Relations between Algeria and Niger have since improved, including visits by Niger’s president and defence minister to Algeria.
A defence cooperation protocol was signed recently, but its details have not been made public.
The deployment’s expected role is to secure oil facilities, though the precise mission details have not been officially released.
Algeria’s parliament approved sending army units to Niger, in a move that could mark the country’s first foreign troop deployment since 1973.
The upper house approved the deployment unanimously, and the lower house also approved it on Sunday.
The units are authorised to go to Niger, but no troops had been officially deployed yet, according to a Niger security source.
A parliamentary statement said the units would go to Madama in northern Niger, near the Libyan border.
The approval follows improved relations between Algeria and Niger after a period of tension and recent defence cooperation.
- Who
- Algeria’s parliament approved the deployment of National Army units.
- What
- The approval authorises sending troops to Niger. No troops had been officially deployed yet, according to a Niger security source.
- When
- Sunday, October 25, 2026.
- Where
- Madama in northern Niger, near the Libyan border.
- Why
- The sources describe improved security cooperation and regional concerns, including insurgent attacks in Niger. The stated task of the units is not consistent across reports: Al Jazeera says they are expected to secure oil facilities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Algeria sent four Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets to Niger, according to the Algerian Ministry of Defence.
Niger’s presidential chief of staff began visiting the Kawar area in Niger’s Agadez region.
Niger Defence Minister Salifou Mody travelled to Algeria for talks on security cooperation.
Algeria’s parliament approved the deployment of army units to Niger.
- Destination
- Madama, northern Niger
- Border location
- Near the Libyan border
- Parliamentary vote
- Upper house approval was unanimous
- Previous foreign deployment
- 1973, when Algerian forces supported Egypt
- Troops deployed
- None officially deployed yet, according to a Niger security source
5 sources
Algeria to send troops to Niger in first foreign deployment since 1973
لأول مرة منذ 1973.. برلمان الجزائر يصوت لصالح إرسال قوات إلى الخارج
البرلمان الجزائري يصادق بالإجماع على إرسال قوات عسكرية إلى النيجر
Algerian parliament’s upper house approves troop deployment to Niger
مجلس الأمة الجزائري يصادق بالإجماع على إرسال قوات إلى النيجر
What people are saying
a mission to support the Nigerien army in confronting an attempt to destabilise the brotherly state of Niger