American military intervention in Cameroon

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American Military Intervention in Cameroon
Part of Boko Haram insurgency
Boko Haram in Lake Chad Region.png
Boko Haram in the Lake Chad Region, as of 14 March 2015
Date October, 2015 - Present
Location Cameroon
Result Ongoing
Belligerents
 United States of America

 Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant[1]

Ansaru[2][3]
Commanders and leaders
United StatesBarack Obama Abubakar Shekau
Mallam Sanni Umaru[4]
Mohammed Yusuf 
Abu Usmatul al-Ansari
Abu Jafa’ar
Strength

US Army:

  • 300 troops
  • Surveillance Drones

ISIS:


The American military intervention in Cameroon started in October, when President Barack Obama ordered U.S. forces to be dispatched to the region, in order to support African forces in a non-combat role, in their war against Islamist militants in West Africa.

Background[edit]

From 2009, the slowly simmering Boko Haram insurgency grew greatly. From 2013 the local Islamist insurgency became large enough to threaten regional stability. In 2015, Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram pledged loyalty to ISIS, prompting great American concern.[6]

2015[edit]

With the invitation of the Cameroonian government secured in early October, the US began to deploy 300 troops.[7] The troops primary missions will revolve around providing intelligence support to local forces as well as conducting reconnaissance flights.[8]

The troops are also overseeing a program to transfer American military vehicles to the Cameroonian Army to aid in their fight against Islamists.[9]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]