Algeria is sending troops to Niger in what L’Opinione describes as its first military deployment abroad since 1973.

Algeria’s parliament approved the mission on Oct. 25 at the request of Niger’s junta. Its stated purpose is to protect Sonatrach’s oil facilities. No troop count, deployment timeline or rules of engagement have been disclosed.

Algiers had already donated 2 Mi-24 attack helicopters and 2 Mi-171 transport helicopters. Following the Aug. 28 mutiny, Algerian Su-30s landed in Niamey.

Russia’s Africa Corps, the successor to Wagner, operates from Air Base 101, where roughly 300 Italian troops are also stationed.

Sonatrach has been tasked with building the 841 km Niger section of the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. The project is designed to transport up to 30 bcm/year from Nigeria through Niger and Algeria toward Europe. Russian companies are reportedly in talks to participate.

There is no public evidence of a troops-for-gas agreement. However, if Russian companies join the project, Europe could gain a new gas route while Moscow remains involved.