Weeks after President Donald Trump accused the Nigerian government of failing to protect Christians from attacks by Islamic jihadists, the United States is set to deploy 200 troops to Nigeria to train the country’s military to fight Islamist jihadists.
“Terrorist activity in West Africa — and in particular in Nigeria — causes us great concern. We want to work with competent and willing partners who are able to address these common security issues,” said a representative of the U.S. Africa Command.
The deployment, expected to arrive in the coming weeks, will supplement a US small team already in the West African country to aid the Nigerians with air strike targeting. The US troops won’t be involved in combat operations, but will be assigned to locations across the country to provide troop training and technical expertise.
This is by helping their Nigerian counterparts coordinate operations that involve air strikes and ground troops simultaneously, The Wall Street Journal reports quoting an American military official.
“We are getting US troops to assist in training and technical support,” a spokesman for Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters, Major General Samaila Uba, told AFP, adding that “the US troops aren’t going to be involved in direct combat or operations.”
Relations between Nigeria and the United States took a startling turn after Trump late last year threatened to enter Nigeria “guns-a-blazing” to avenge what he has called a “Christian genocide.” Nigeria and the United States later found common ground in increasing military collaboration.
Weeks after the Trump threat, on Christmas Day, Navy warships aided by Nigerian intelligence launched 16 Tomahawk missiles at what Trump said was the “terrorist scum” responsible for killing Nigerian Christians.
With Nigeria requesting additional assistance, the US military has said it will supply intelligence for Nigerian air strikes and work to expedite arms purchases.
US Africa Command said it was helping Nigeria in its campaign against several extremist groups, including Boko Haram and another known as Islamic State’s West Africa Province.
“Africa Command is working with our Nigerian and regional partners to increase counterterrorism cooperation efforts related to ongoing violence and threats against innocent lives,” Anderson said in a statement after the December 25 strikes. “Our goal is to protect Americans and disrupt violent extremist organizations wherever they are.”
