Canadian special forces participating in military training in southeast Niger, near the border with Nigeria, were ordered to withdraw recently to avoid battling with Boko Haram Islamists, the military said Thursday.

The troops had been posted to the town of Diffa, where the government of Niger declared a state of emergency on February 11 following attacks in the region that borders Boko Haram’s stronghold in northeast Nigeria.

The Canadians are participating in US-sponsored counterterrorism training that started on February 16 and is due to wrap up on March 9.

The annual program has 1,300 troops from 19 countries training militaries in five African countries in shooting, movement, communications, and mission planning.

Read More: AFP