148 Senators Approve Algeria's Troop Mission In Niger

Algeria's upper house of parliament cleared a deployment of troops to Niger on Sunday, with 148 of 174 senators voting in favor. The lower house later backed the measure. The mission would be Algeria's first overseas military deployment since forces went to Egypt during the Arab-Israeli war in 1973, and the first use of a 2020 constitutional provision governing such deployments abroad.

The vote followed a visit to Algiers by Niger's defense minister as Niamey seeks help against armed groups, some linked to al-Qaeda or Islamic State. Algerian forces are expected to secure energy facilities in northern Niger near the Libyan border. Algeria holds economic interests there, including a planned pipeline that would carry Nigerian gas through Niger to Algeria. Sonatrach, Algeria's state-owned energy company, has also signed an agreement with Niger's petroleum ministry to explore for oil in the Kafra region, where two exploration wells are estimated to hold 168 million and 100 million barrels respectively.

The timing of the deployment and the number of soldiers involved have not been announced. Senator Belkacem Boulghiti addressed the purpose of the mission after the vote. "We are not sending our soldiers to wage war in Niger, but for a mission to secure economic infrastructure," he said.

Ties between the two neighbors have been strained in recent years. Algeria condemned the 2023 coup that removed elected President Mohamed Bazoum and brought Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani to power. In 2025, Algeria shot down a Malian drone near its border, and Niger recalled its ambassador to Algiers in solidarity with Mali, a close ally under military rule.

Relations have since improved. Tchiani visited Algeria in February 2026. In late August, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune sent fighter jets to Niger to help suppress a coup attempt and donated four military helicopters. Algeria's lower house has now approved the troop deployment.