On February 5, 2013 the United States and Government of Niger signed a Status of forces agreement allowing the US to be able to operate unarmed drones to assist French Forces in Mali during Operation Serval. Later that month president Barack Obama sent 150 troops to Niger. Later in 2015 the United States and Niger signed a military agreement so that both countries could combat terrorism together. Since then United States Army Special Forces have deployed to Niger and other West Africa nations to train and to conduct operations with local forces.