United States 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".
Analysis: Tomi Oladipo, Africa security correspondent, Nairobi
The
US has recognised the increased threat its allies and interests in the
region face following Boko Haram's absorption into Islamic State. The
jihadist group has shown itself resilient in the face of military
operations by the combined armies of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.
Little
has been seen or heard of the African Union-backed Multinational Joint
Task Force mandated to spearhead the counter-insurgency mission. Hence
support from the US - and France - is crucial at this time.
Last
year, US surveillance planes and personnel were deployed in north-east
Nigeria after the kidnap of more than 200 schoolgirls who are still
missing. This time, away from the global scrutiny the Chibok abductions
brought, other US soldiers are deployed elsewhere in the region with
similar roles.
It's still early days but this deployment could
revamp the gathering of intelligence, and maybe prove a game changer in
finding the core Boko Haram leaders who are keeping the jihadist
campaign active.
Source:
BBC
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