The United states is sending 300 U.S. troops, along with surveillance drones, to Cameroon to bolster the war against Boko Haram insurgents, Reuters reports.
Officials on Wednesday said the U.S. soldiers would deploy initially to the city of Garoua in northern Cameroon, not far from the Nigerian border. The force will include Predator drones for surveillance, they said.
The troops will “conduct airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations in the region,” Obama said.
“These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon until their support is no longer needed.” he added.
The troops would also provide intelligence to a multi-national task force being set up to fight Boko Haram in the region, he said.
The White House said the move was not in response to any changed assessment of threat in the region.