Boko Haram: Obama sends 300 troops to Cameroon

United States President Barack Obama has announced that US armed forces have been deployed in 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 […]

United States President Barack Obama has announced that US armed forces have been deployed in 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 they will remain in Cameroon until “no longer needed”.
A new five-nation force – from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin – is due for deployment by 30 July to take on the Islamic State-allied militants, whose six-year insurgency has left at least 15,000 dead and increasingly threatened regional security.
Amnesty International said last month that the Boko Haram conflict had killed at least 1,600 people since the start of June in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon and called for more protection for civilians.
The insurgents have stepped up their attacks recently.