Algerian parliament’s upper house approves troop deployment to Niger

Algeria's upper house approves troop deployment to Niger

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The upper house of Algeria's parliament has unanimously approved the deployment of troops to neighbouring Niger, according to Al Jazeera English. The vote came after a recent defence pact between the two countries. The Algerian constitution empowers the president to send military units abroad, provided that both chambers of parliament approve it by a two-thirds majority.

The Council of the Nation held an emergency session on Sunday to vote on troop deployment, while the People's National Assembly, or the lower house, is expected to hold a separate session later in the evening, Algeria's popular newspaper El Khabar reported. If the deployment is approved, it would be the first mission outside Algeria's borders since the 1973 War between Israel and several Arab countries.

The military units to be deployed by Algeria are expected to be tasked with securing oil facilities in Niger. The vote came after a visit by Niger's Defence Minister General Salifou Modi to Algeria last week, where he held talks with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Chief of Staff of the People's National Army General Said Chanegriha.

Earlier this month, Tebboune confirmed that Algeria sent fighter jets to Niger in late August to help thwart a 'coup attempt' that shook the capital, Niamey. The Algerian Ministry of Defence previously said it had sent four jets to Niger following the unrest.