# Algeria to send troops to Niger in first foreign deployment since 1973

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/algeria-to-send-troops-to-niger-in-first-foreign-deployment-since-1973/
- Published: 2026-10-26T17:00:09+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T18:04:35+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC World (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm4g14n1e5wko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: World

## Key points

- Algeria plans its first foreign troop deployment since 1973.
- The troops are expected to protect energy facilities in northern Niger.
- Parliament approved the move, but troop numbers and timing are unknown.

## Summary

Algeria plans to send troops to Niger to protect energy facilities in the north, marking its first overseas deployment since it sent forces to Egypt during the 1973 Arab-Israeli war. The move signals a major shift in Algeria’s longstanding policy against deploying troops abroad and comes as Niger seeks help against armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

Algeria’s parliament approved the deployment, with 148 of 174 upper-house senators voting in favour, followed by support from the lower house. The number of troops and timing remain unannounced; Algeria says their mission is to secure infrastructure, including energy projects. These include a planned gas pipeline and oil exploration by state-owned Sonatrach, whose two wells are estimated to hold 168 million and 100 million barrels. Relations between the neighbours have improved after a 2025 diplomatic rift.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.