Algerian officials are discussing the threats of Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), to close the Essin border area and declare it a military zone.
An official familiar with the matter told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Algerian army has tightened its control at the border crossings since Haftar's forces announced their control of the southern Essen border crossing.
The same source confirmed that the Algerian army's observation points did not detect any military movement on the other side of the border, saying there was no need to mobilize military forces.
He noted that despite the lack of noticeable threat from Haftar, the Algerian army should remain vigilant in line with directives issued by the Army Chief of Staff, which emphasizes confronting any danger on the borders with Libya or Mali.
Earlier, forces loyal to Haftar closed the border with Algeria, in a move that Libyan media claimed was in response to the threats of ISIS-affiliated terrorist organizations.
The National Army’s Moral Guidance Department stated that “the armed forces are closing the Libyan-Algerian border and declaring it a military zone in which movement is prohibited.”
Last week, the LNA sent troops to Sebha and to a southern border crossing with Algeria.
Security expert Akram Khorayef downplayed the movement of Haftar’s forces to the border, saying it is part of the psychological war against Algeria.
Khorayef indicated that the move comes in response to a warning made by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune that "Algeria regards Tripoli as a red line".
Tebboune has also announced that the Algerian army was ready to intervene militarily if Haftar's forces tightened their control over the Libyan capital.
Observers suggested that his statements were a direct warning to Haftar.
