Will the Algerian Army (ANP) intervene in the Mediterranean outside the territorial waters of Algeria? This question deserves to be asked in light of the statement made Sunday, October 19 at the port of Algiers by a US Army official, as reported in a statement from the US Embassy in Algiers.
Indeed, according to the same source, Rear Admiral Michael Baze, director of maritime operations of the 6th Fleet of the US Army, affirmed, during the visit to the port of Algiers of the guided-missile ship USS Roosevelt, whom the Americans intended to fight with the Algerian Army against “malicious activities on the Mediterranean coast of Africa”.
“We look forward to strengthening our maritime ties with Algeria to advance our mutual interests in the fight against malicious activities on the Mediterranean coast of Africa,” said Rear Admiral Michael Baze, adding that ” Algeria plays a central role in the security of the Mediterranean ”.
Senior military official and US diplomat speak out
For his part, the United States’ charge d’affaires in Algeria Gautam Rana, speaking aboard the USS Roosevelt, somewhat supported the statements of his military compatriot by stressing that “the two parties are working together to learn from each other ”, adding:“ We coordinate closely to foster stability and prosperity in the region ”.
The statements of the diplomat and the US military official coincide, in the sense that they both suggest that Algeria could intervene in the Mediterranean as part of the fight against crime linked to terrorism or piracy. This is probably in collaboration with the United States Army.
A provision already included in the new Constitution
It must be said that this American media outlet in Algeria comes after the integration in the final version of the new Constitution of a controversial article authorizing the ANP to intervene outside the borders of Algeria. This text is expected to be adopted during the referendum scheduled for November 1.
The Algerians do not see the idea of sending the elements of the ANP to intervene in other countries. And they did not fail to report it, especially in posts on social networks. The authorities tried to reassure the Algerian people, in particular through the magazine El Djeich which had explained the interventions of the ANP would be intended “for the maintenance of peace”.
