Algeria: 50,000 gendarmes, 8,000 vehicles to foil Al-Qaeda’s attacks in beaches

The National Gendarmerie Command has mobilised more than 50 thousand gendarmes and 8 thousand vehicles, helicopters as well as counter-drug smuggling and explosives troops to secure summer season holidays of this year.

• This plan will start in June with security coverage of about 245 beaches, the equivalent of 80 percent of all authorized swimming beaches in 14 provinces in the west, east, and central coasts of the country. They belong to the Gendarmerie specialization.
•  Security has been strengthened in some special areas especially those which witness terrorist threats. Measures have been taken to stop illegal immigration by preventing secret camping in many beaches which constitute a sailing point for illegal migrants.
•  The number of provided personnel and means is bigger than the one recorded in previous years. The number of mobilised gendarmes did not exceed 44,150 last year. Graduated gendarmes from National Gendarmerie schools at the national level will be involved in that operation.
• Colonel Ayoub Abderrahman, president of communication cell at the National Gendarmerie command stated to Echorouk that “supporting the plan will be gradually carried out on the background of mobilising individuals to secure baccalaureate exams later in that plan.”
• The same source was keen to stress that the gendarmes will be deployed according to each coastal province and to its privacy and location. Security will be enhanced according to Echorouk’s facts in provinces known for terrorist acts such as Boumerdes, Algiers, Jijel, Bejaia, Tizi Ouzou and Tipaza.
• The number of security checkpoints was lifted and disseminated via the fixed points especially on roads leading to beaches, around them, cities, and night spots. They will be supported by air coverage through the mobilisation of helicopters to comb the roads, support security roads groups and interventions. The plan includes entertainment places and public places security insurance which will know people’s arrivals from many places in this period of summer.
• The mobilised gendarmes in this plan will also be backed by competent dogs in fighting against drugs and crimes in all its forms to ensure the safety of holidaymakers’ properties especially families.
•  In this regard, the Gendarmerie will continue its campaign against prostitution in the beaches, which started the last season, especially in Tipaza and Bejaia provinces.
• The same source mentioned that the gendarmes sensitize and teach holidaymakers about how to use radios. They were also provided with explosive detectors after the so- called “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Magreb” had used bombs in their attacks to disturb the summer season.
•  Tightened control measures were taken such as crushing their strongholds in mountains and imposing control on vehicles traffic; which resulted retreat in its activities.
• “Dauphin’s plan” will accompany a campaign to protect consumers and ensure comfort for holidaymakers in coordination with local authorities. They inform them about existing deficiencies in the camps concerning property, residence and camping conditions as well as the provision of public lighting in camps especially those in isolated areas, which are targeted by criminality and terrorism gangs.
• The National Gendarmerie command had adopted “Dauphin Plan” which is a special plan to secure summer season since 2004.
•  “It will be corrected every year,” said Colonel Ayoub. Security chalets are spread on the guarded beaches including about 10 gendarmes in charge of the holidaymakers’ safety.
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