Boko Haram crisis: US deploys troops in Cameroon

photo BBC Africa

14 October 2015 BBC Africa

US President Barack Obama has announced that US armed forces have been deployed to Cameroon to help fight against the Islamist militants Boko Haram.

The force, which will be 300 strong, will conduct airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the region. Cameroon and Chad have been targeted by the Islamist militants from northern Nigeria. Mr Obama said the forces would remain in Cameroon until "no longer needed". In a notification to Congress, he said an advance force of 90 troops were sent to the country on Monday. He said all US troops there would be "equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security".

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