Algeria’s parliament approved a resolution Sunday to send troops to Niger , making it the first time Algerian soldiers will be deployed abroad since 1973, when they were sent to support Egypt during the Arab- Israeli war.

Authorities have not released any information about when and where exactly the Algerian army detachment will be deployed, or how many soldiers will be involved.

Algerian Sen. Belkacem Boulghiti said troops would be sent “to protect Algeria’s economic and strategic interests, particularly its oil facilities in Niger.”

“We are not sending our soldiers to wage war in Niger, but for a mission to secure economic infrastructure," he told reporters as he left the chamber after the vote.…