The turmoil in Cameroon got the attention of the White House this week, and in a big way.

They’re battling religious extremists attempting to impose Sharia law in West and Central Africa — one of them being the infamous terror group Boko Haram — and it finally prompted President Barack Obama to send a memo to Congress Wednesday, which he did, with the news that he’s sending 90 troops to the republic on the western coast of the mighty continent.

He also informed lawmakers that the number will eventually rise to 300, and “provide airborne intelligence, surveillance and other reconnaissance operations at the request and invitation of the Cameroonian government”.

Just last month, Boko Haram slaughtered 30 people and wounded 145 more in a series of attacks at a market. The terrorists first made headlines after kidnapping thousands in Nigeria over the course of the last few years.

“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,” wrote Obama.

This from CNN:

Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Michelle Baldanza said the forces were deploying at the invitation of the government of Cameroon, and would coordinate their actions with the Cameroonian military.

“The combined activities conducted at this location are designed to better enhance the capability and capacity of our partners in the Cameroon defense forces to promote stability and security within Cameroon and the surrounding region,” Baldanza said.

The details are, at this point, extremely vague. It’s unclear whether or not the troops will be “boots on the ground” per se, or simply conduct air support and spying operations.

Stay tuned to the blog for further updates on this developing story.