Algeria has joined the fight against terrorism in the Sahel by putting boots on the ground in neighboring Niger. The deployment is the first time Algeria, which has the second most powerful military in Africa, has deployed its military forces outside the country since its participation in the Arab-Israeli War of 1973.

During closed-door sessions on October 25, Algeria’s Council of the Nation and People’s National Assembly, the upper and lower houses of parliament, respectively, validated the presidential notification submitted by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune under Article 91 of the Constitution for deployment of Algerian forces to Niger. The deployment is officially “to ensure the safety of their investment projects, in particular those of Sonatrach, such as the Kafra oil field, as well as to support the Armed Forces of Niger in the fight against extremist groups.”

The decision follows the dramatic expansion of political, economic and military cooperation between the two countries in the last year. Earlier this year Algeria delivered helicopter gunships and transports. This was followed by the deployment of four Sukhoi SU-30 jet fighters, a refueling aircraft, as well as a transport aircraft.

Algeria now joins Russia’s Africa Corps in supporting the Alliance of Sahel States, of which Niger, along with Mali and Burkina Faso, are members.