U.S. President Barack Obama has announced that U.S. armed forces have been deployed to Cameroon to help fight against the Islamist militants Boko Haram, BBC News reports.

The force, which will be 300 strong, will conduct airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the region.

Cameroon and Chad have been targeted by the Islamist militants from northern Nigeria.

Obama said the forces would remain in Cameroon until "no longer needed". In a notification to Congress, he said an advance force of 90 troops were sent to the country on Monday, October 12.

He said all U.S. troops there would be "equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their own force protection and security".

Cameroon has become a target for Boko Haram militants since backing the Nigerian military in its fight against the group.

Two female suicide bombers killed nine people and injured 29 in an attack on Kangaleri town in far northern Cameroon on Sunday, October 10.