Algerian Chief of Staff Inspects Warplanes on Visit to Russia

Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha with Russian officials during his visit to the air base in Russia. (Algerian Defense Ministry)
Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha with Russian officials during his visit to the air base in Russia. (Algerian Defense Ministry)
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Algerian Chief of Staff Inspects Warplanes on Visit to Russia

Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha with Russian officials during his visit to the air base in Russia. (Algerian Defense Ministry)
Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha with Russian officials during his visit to the air base in Russia. (Algerian Defense Ministry)

Algerian chief of staff Said Chengriha visited Zhukovsky Air Base on the outskirts of Moscow on the third day of his visit to Russia.

The Defense Ministry stated that the army commander was accompanied by Director of the Military Cooperation Service of the Russian Federation Dmitry Shugayev.

Chengriha inspected several types of military aircraft and was briefed on the latest equipment and technologies used in military aviation.

He visited the headquarters of the Aeronautical Technology Dynamics Company, where he examined the various latest equipment and technologies, including basic training for pilots and programs for simulation in the field of aviation.

According to the Russian press, Algeria wants to support its armed forces with modern Russian military equipment after increasing the military spending in the 2023 Algerian Budget Law.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Algeria ordered military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and anti-aircraft defense systems, reported the Russian news agency Sputnik.

Sputnik reported that Chengriha's visit is part of the follow-up to the implementation of a military trade agreement, valued at $7 billion, concluded by the two countries in 2022, according to the press.

Chengriha's visit confirms Algeria's interest in purchasing Russian warplanes.

The Algerian Air Force is mainly equipped with Russian planes and fighters, some of which date back to the Soviet Union.

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune had visited Russia earlier this year.

The strong cooperation between the two states is evident in the intensity of joint military exercises they have held in recent years.

In October 2021, the Special Forces participated in military exercises in North Ossetia where 200 Russian and Algerian soldiers tested modern equipment and techniques to combat terrorism in mountainous areas.

The drills also included practicing modern combat techniques and new attack weapons.



Over 50,000 Have Fled Lebanon for Syria Amid Israeli Strikes, Says UN

Syrians, who were living in Lebanon and returned to Syria due to ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, carry belongings at the Syrian-Lebanese border, in Jdaydet Yabous, Syria, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar/File Photo
Syrians, who were living in Lebanon and returned to Syria due to ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, carry belongings at the Syrian-Lebanese border, in Jdaydet Yabous, Syria, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar/File Photo
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Over 50,000 Have Fled Lebanon for Syria Amid Israeli Strikes, Says UN

Syrians, who were living in Lebanon and returned to Syria due to ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, carry belongings at the Syrian-Lebanese border, in Jdaydet Yabous, Syria, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar/File Photo
Syrians, who were living in Lebanon and returned to Syria due to ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, carry belongings at the Syrian-Lebanese border, in Jdaydet Yabous, Syria, September 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yamam al Shaar/File Photo

The UN refugee chief said Saturday that more than 50,000 people had fled to Syria amid escalating Israeli air strikes on Lebanon.

"More than 50,000 Lebanese and Syrians living in Lebanon have now crossed into Syria fleeing Israeli air strikes," Filippo Grandi said on X.

He added that "well over 200,000 people are displaced inside Lebanon".

A UNHCR spokesman said the total number of displaced in Lebanon had reached 211,319, including 118,000 just since Israel dramatically ramped up its air strikes on Monday, AFP reported.

The remainder had fled their homes since Hezbollah militants in Lebanon began low-intensity cross-border attacks a day after its Palestinian ally Hamas staged its unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

Israel has shifted the focus of its operation from Gaza to Lebanon, where heavy bombing has killed more than 700 people, according to Lebanon's health ministry, as cross-border exchanges escalated over the past week.

Most of those Lebanese deaths came on Monday, the deadliest day of violence since Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war.

"Relief operations are underway, including by UNHCR, to help all those in need, in coordination with both governments," Grandi said.