Security reinforcements to dry up sources fueling and financing Al-Qaeda in Algeria west borders

Photographs of Moroccan fleeing terrorists from El Quenitra prison in Morocco were distributed. They are sought at regional units which are affiliated to the state group of the National Gendarmerie of Tlemcen province (west of Algeria), especially since the ninth prisoner escapee named Mohamed Echatbi was arrested in the border town of Oujda.

• What makes the Algerian security authorities doubting about the fleeing terrorists who intend to go beyond the border to join the strongholds of “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb” under the commend of Abdel Malek Droudkel( Abou Masàb Abdelwadoud). This comes under the raised fears of “western borders’ investment by outsiders and international smuggling networks to bring weapons and explosives, in addition to recruiting terrorists,” according to recent security investigations in the case of smuggling explosives used in the suicide attacks of 11 April in the capital across borders.
• Anti- terrorist authorities seized in earlier times Kalashnikovs type “Izou”, which are Israeli-made weapons destined for “GIA” activists. This came in the context of a series of events and other manliness which confirmed every time that the West Algerian borders represent the first escape of terrorist threats coming from abroad.
•  The National Gendarmerie officials claimed on the background of these data an urgent security strategy to stop the activities of terrorist groups and smuggling gangs. An official from the National Gendarmerie revealed to Echorouk that axes of this plan are mainly meant for strengthening control on the western borders by increasing the number of gendarmes and putting an electronic control system provided with cameras on along the borders, in addition to establishing special airline bases for borders’ guard teams which must be supported by new helicopters.
• Last visit of the National Gendarmerie official fell in this context. The most important themes spoke about the new changes to develop the borders’ guard system and improve its performance, then give necessary machines of action, depending on the natural conditions and security threats they will face. That explains the commander’s visit and his plan to double the border’s posts with about four times to reach 50 border’s posts in the western strip in the end of June. Additionally, extending security coverage to larger areas deep into the western border specifically in the border strip of Bechar ( south of Algeria) which knew vulnerable coverage and a security vacuum in the way they review the borders’ guards functioning and performance. It is the most important axis through recruiting them directly in the fight against crime and terrorism to achieve more effective results and know deficiencies by giving them strict instructions in facing these threats and providing them with new means to fight the explosives and prohibited materials’  entry. That constitutes a threat to the nation’s stability and economy.   
• The National gendarmerie currently counted about 80 thousand gendarmes pending for their numbers’ lift which is supposed to reach 130 thousand gendarmes end of 2010. They will be subjected to strict formations under the government’s program to achieve security coverage to fight crime and terrorism by recruiting 200 thousand gendarmes and policemen.
• In this regard, Algerian Interior Minister has recently announced a budget of more than four billions dollars.
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