Story highlights In a letter to Congress, Obama said The United States deployed approximately 90 troops to Cameroon Monday

The U.S has deployed military resources there as well in the last year to assist the Nigerian government in their efforts against the extremist group Boko Haram

Washington (CNN) The United States deployed approximately 90 troops to Cameroon Monday as part of an effort to assist Cameroon and other regional governments in their efforts to battle extremist groups in the region.

President Barack Obama sent a letter to Congress Wednesday informing lawmakers of the move.

In the letter, sent under the War Powers Resolution, Obama said the total number of U.S. military personnel would eventually rise to approximately 300, and would provide airborne intelligence, surveillance and other reconnaissance operations at the request and invitation of the Cameroonian government.

"These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon until their support is no longer needed," he wrote.

Cameroon, along with other countries in West Africa have been locked in battle with Boko Haram, a terror group based in northern Nigeria that has been waging a years-long campaign of terror aimed at instituting its extreme version of Sharia law.

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