Algeria creates special security force to combat terrorism

The Algerian Directorate General of National Security has created a new security division for special operations whose mission is to fight major crimes and terrorism.

Algerian security sources revealed that this new force was announced on 23 July as part of a restructuring operation initiated by the military more than two years ago.

Algerian security expert Karim Moulai told Quds Press that the new security apparatus in Algeria comes as a continuation of the presidential team’s plan launched in 2014 to reduce the influence of intelligence Chief Mohamed “Toufik” Mediene.

“In this context, the directorate of intelligence was resolved and a new security apparatus under the leadership of Major General Osman Tirtaq, the president’s security adviser, was established,” Moulai said.