Algeria Arrests 11 Supporters of Extremist Groups

Algerian police forces simulate storming a building in which terrorists are hiding. (Ministry of Defense)
Algerian police forces simulate storming a building in which terrorists are hiding. (Ministry of Defense)
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Algeria Arrests 11 Supporters of Extremist Groups

Algerian police forces simulate storming a building in which terrorists are hiding. (Ministry of Defense)
Algerian police forces simulate storming a building in which terrorists are hiding. (Ministry of Defense)

Algeria’s Defense Ministry launched several security and military operations across the country this week.

It announced in an operational report arresting 11 people suspected of supporting extremist groups.

It also thwarted the smuggling of 1,368 kilograms of drugs across the western borders and seized nine other kilograms in separate operations.

The Ministry stated that the army has launched many operations to confront organized crime and underlined the great efforts to address drug trafficking.

According to the report, 28 drug dealers were arrested during the same period in the second (west) and third (southwest) military districts.

This comes in line with the ministry’s continuous efforts to confront terrorism and all forms of organized crimes.

Security forces also arrested 83 people suspected of smuggling illegal substances, and seized 21 vehicles, 104 electricity generators, 47 pressure hammers, five metal detectors, explosives and explosive devices, and other equipment used in illegal gold mining operations in Tamanrasset, Bordj Badji Mokhtar, In Guezzam and Djanet areas on the border with Mali and Niger.

The Ministry also arrested nine other people and confiscated 10 hunting rifles, 13,000 packets of cigarettes and 31 tons of foodstuffs that were packed for smuggling in Ouargla, El Oued, In Guezzam (south) and Batna and Khenchela (east).

The border guards, in cooperation with the national gendarmerie, thwarted attempts to smuggle huge quantities of fuel, estimated at 32,740 liters, from several areas in the south and east of the country.

A part of efforts to thwart illegal migration, the coast guards thwarted attempts to smuggle people and rescued 48 people on traditional boats, while 280 undocumented migrants of different nationalities were arrested across the country.

The Ministry said the results of these operations reflect the high level of professionalism, vigilance and constant readiness of the Algerian armed forces.



Suez Canal Chief: Red Sea Crisis Did Not Create Sustainable Route to Replace Canal

Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in the city of Ismailia, Egypt April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in the city of Ismailia, Egypt April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
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Suez Canal Chief: Red Sea Crisis Did Not Create Sustainable Route to Replace Canal

Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in the city of Ismailia, Egypt April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo
Osama Rabie, Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority, speaks during an interview with Reuters in his office in the city of Ismailia, Egypt April 6, 2021. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo

Suez Canal Authority Chairman Osama Rabie said on Wednesday that the Red Sea crisis did not create a sustainable route to replace the canal.

He also said that there were positive indicators for the return of stability in the region.

Iran-backed Houthi militants have attacked vessels in the Red Sea area since November 2023, disrupting global shipping lanes by forcing vessels to avoid the nearby Suez Canal and reroute trade around Africa, raising the costs for insurers.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said in December the disruption cost Egypt around $7 billion in revenue from the Suez Canal in 2024, Reuters reported.

That's a drop of more than 60% from its revenue a year before from the canal, Sisi said.