Exclusive: Turkey to train Niger army in fight against militant groups

Turkey will soon deploy troops to help train Niger's military to counter militant groups as Ankara increasingly turns its focus to Africa, Middle East Eye understands.

Sources familiar with the matter told MEE that Turkey has been pursuing a closer security partnership with Niger since 2020, when the countries signed a military training and cooperation agreement.

In July 2023, Niger's military ousted the civilian government, promising to address terrorism and other security issues.

By cancelling security deals with western partners, the junta signalled its search for new alliances such as Turkey and Russia.

In July, Turkey and Niger also signed a military financial cooperation agreement, further solidifying their commitment to work together in defence.

Ibrahim Bachir Abdoulaye, a doctoral researcher at the Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies, told MEE that Russian support for Niger has proven insufficient to meet the country’s defence needs, making it necessary for Nigeriens to diversify their foreign relations.

“At this point, Turkey, with its developing defence industry, growing interest in the Sahel region and independent foreign policy has become an ideal partner for Niger,” he said.

A source familiar with Ankara’s thinking told MEE that recent developments in Syria and Iraq have made it easier for Turkey to redeploy some forces to Africa. Since May, Ankara’s new outreach to Kurdish groups has created an uneasy calm in both countries.

According to the source, a small number of Turkish commandos and special forces who in the past served and gained experience in Syria and Iraq will be deployed to Niger, where they will assist the army with training as part of the fight against the Islamic State and al-Qaeda.

Two people familiar with the matter said that at least four battalions will provide training and advisory support in Niger, though Turkish forces will not directly participate in combat.

The deployment does not require Turkish parliamentary approval, since the troops will be present in a limited “visiting” capacity and will not establish bases or secure territory.

In May, Niger unilaterally terminated an intelligence-sharing agreement with both Turkey and Russia, citing “ineffectiveness in surveillance operations, particularly in telephone interception”. However, the government has maintained its military ties with Turkey.

Abdoulaye noted that the military financial cooperation deal would allow Niger to acquire modern weapons - including military drones, ammunition and other equipment - along with training and technical support for its army.

'This agreement is crucial for strengthening Niger's army, ensuring the regime's stability, and countering western influence'

- Ibrahim Bachir Abdoulaye - researcher

“Although the exact contents of the agreement are not yet known, many sources claim that it allows for the presence of Turkish troops in Niger,” he said.

“For Niger, this agreement is crucial for strengthening its army, ensuring the stability of the regime, and countering western influence.”

Over the past four years, Turkey has expanded its presence in the Sahel. In addition to selling drones, Hurkus trainer aircraft, and various defence products, Ankara has provided training and advisory services to countries such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

Abdoulaye explained that Turkey is one of the few countries able to maintain strong relations with Niger’s former civilian government as well as its current military rulers.

“Following this military partnership, closer cooperation in strategic sectors such as oil and uranium is likely in the near future,” he said.

“Protecting Turkey’s Mediterranean borders from threats emanating from the Sahel, and especially Niger, provides Ankara with an important advantage over its competitors.”