Algeria applies “security solution” to save Ghardaia

Local authorities stepped up security forces in the province of Ghardaia (south of Algeria) by mobilizing additional 2,000 gendarmes, 20 antiriot troops, and helicopters to restore calm and end frequent skirmishes, Echorouk has learnt.

A senior officer at the National Gendarmerie said a meeting was held between the Algerian interior minister Tayeb Belaiz, the commander of the National Gendarmerie Ahmed Boustila and the national police in Ghardaia. It came up with a reviewed security plan of forces in charge of ensuring the safety of the area.

“A total of 600 gendarmes as part of intervention units arrived on Thursday while 6 other units are expected to come as well as others from neighboring provinces,” he told Echorouk.

He added that security forces were deployed in all the sensitive areas, housing compounds where shops are located.

Intervention units were also assigned to protect graves, mosques and routes. Mobile patrols were mobilized inside streets and helicopters were equipped by infrared cameras.

National police also deployed 20 anti-riot units which including more than 7,000 policemen and security agents from other provinces were mobilized.

Policemen and gendarmes will be deployed in streets and any suspicious person will be searched.

The national popular army will mobilize 4 helicopters to carry out a combing operation to protect residents in rural areas in Ghardaia.