“Algeria is a leading nation in anti-terrorism struggle” : US and European reports

Reports released by the US and other European countries have revealed that Algeria is among the most successful North African counties in the sustained struggle against terrorism, arms and drug smuggling and organized crime.

• The success achieved by the Algerian security forces over the year 2009, according to the reports, is due to the efficient cooperation between the different security bodies in addition to the high level of skilfulness of the security elements.
• Cooperation with other major countries and neighboring ones and exchange of intelligence played a pivotal role in fighting terrorism in the region and curb arms and drug contraband.
• Algerian army stopped terrorists’ movements in the desert region
• The reports singled out the positive outcome of the strategy followed by the Algerian authorities over the last three years, including the retreat of terrorist activities in the northern parts of the country after carrying out successive military operations and holding sway over the major terrorists’ strongholds.
• The southern parts of the country have been also secured by the Algerian security forces after taking control over the major desert routes, paralysing thus the terrorists’ movements inland and in the borderlines with countries like Niger, Mali and Mauritania.
• Owing to this strategy, the Algerian security forces have succeeded in baring the route for the, terrorists operating in the desert regions, to seek refuge in the neighboring countries including Mauritania and Mali.
• Algerian frontiers guards seized 60 tons of drugs on their way to Europe  
• Algerian security forces have seized nearly 60 tons of drug, machine guns and other types of arms, while gendarmerie forces have foiled dozens of attempts to smuggle hard drug in the western provinces of the country.
• Over the last few years, they have succeeded to destroy several drug plantations that flourished in some southern provinces that could transform the country into a drug producer after being a through traffic one.
• On the other hand, the reports have revealed that the cooperation between Algeria and Europe concerning illegal immigration was highly successful. Estimates reveal that the Algerian security forces stopped the flocking of 20 to 30 thousand illegal immigrants coming from Sub- Saharan countries to move to Europe.