Algeria is to ship troops to Niger in its first international deployment since sending forces to Egypt during the Arab-Israeli warfare in 1973.
The deployment follows a go to to Algiers by Niger’s defence minister, as the nation seeks support against armed teams, some of which are linked to al-Qaeda or Islamic State.
Algeria has financial pursuits in Niger, including a deliberate fuel pipeline that would carry Nigerian fuel through Niger to Algeria. The troops are expected to defend vitality services in northern Niger, close to the Libyan border.
The deployment comes as the two neighbours rebuild ties after a diplomatic rift in 2025, when Niger recalled its ambassador to Algiers.
Algeria’s higher home of parliament held an emergency session on Sunday to vote on the proposed deployment. According to AFP information company, 148 of the 174 senators voted in favour. It was later backed by the decrease home of parliament.
However, the timing and quantity of troopers to be deployed have not been announced.
The transfer would mark the first use of a 2020 constitutional provision permitting abroad army deployments and a important shift in Algeria’s long-standing coverage against sending forces overseas.
“We are not sending our soldiers to wage war in Niger, but for a mission to secure economic infrastructure,” Algerian senator Belkacem Boulghiti advised reporters after the vote.
Algeria’s state-owned vitality company, Sonatrach, has also signed an settlement with Niger’s petroleum ministry to discover for oil in the Kafra area. Two exploration wells are estimated to comprise 168 million and 100 million barrels, respectively, Reuters reported.
Relations between Algeria and Niger have not always been easy in current years.
Algeria condemned the 2023 coup that ousted Niger’s elected President, Mohamed Bazoum, and introduced Gen Abdourahamane Tchiani to energy.
Tensions rose again in 2025 after Algeria shot down a Malian drone close to its border. Niger recalled its ambassador to Algiers in solidarity with Mali, a close ally which is also under army rule.
Relations have since improved. Tchiani visited Algeria in February 2026, and in late August, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune despatched fighter jets to Niger to help suppress a coup attempt and also donated 4 army helicopters.
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