Algerian and Russian anti-terrorist forces are organizing a joint exercise in Algeria, the first in their history. Morocco, on whose border the maneuvers are organized, is tacitly targeted.
Algeria and Russia are starting a joint military exercise on Tuesday, November 15, near the Moroccan border, in the context of tensions with Morocco and war in Ukraine. “Desert Shield”, which brings together 200 soldiers from the Russian and Algerian anti-terrorist forces, is the first exercise of the two countries on Algerian territory.
A unique exercise
These joint maneuvers are organized in the region of Béchar, near Morocco, although according to the JDD, the spokeswoman for Russian Foreign Affairs indicated that these joint maneuvers “do not target any third country”.
The operations headquarters will be located in Hammaguir, where the French forces remained in accordance with the Evian agreement until 1967, and were able to organize missile and rocket launches. On the other side of the border, Morocco organized the Africa Lion maneuvers in June, with the participation of Israel, members of NATO, and the United States, within the largest exercise ever organized in the country.
Growing relationships
The two countries had already organized joint naval maneuvers in October 2022 off Algiers, while Algeria had participated in the Vostok 2022 military exercises in eastern Russia.
Russian-Algerian cooperation is also continuing on the industrial level, with Algeria importing a considerable number of Russian equipment thanks to the 130% increase in its defense budget in 2021. Our colleagues from France info report that a contract of more than 11 billion would be in preparation, which could concern the purchase of Russian Sukhoi Su75 fighters. More generally, 80% of military equipment imported since 2017 has come from Russia.
Western Sahara in the balance
Western Sahara, a region of 600,000 inhabitants once colonized by Spain, strains relations between the two countries. After Spanish decolonization, Morocco claimed and occupied this desert region, but Algeria began to support the Polisario Front, a group demanding independence for Western Sahara. The Polisario front today occupies a small part of the region to the east, but the United States has recognized that this region belongs to Morocco. Its international status is still in the balance today.
The position of Algiers, which deals directly with Moscow, is however facilitated by the war in Ukraine: the country’s hydrocarbon reserves make it a partner to spare for European countries.
