Algeria Alert: Soldier killed in detonation of IED in Tlemcen Province’s Deglene, per October 14 statement; notable given rarity

Oct 2021

7:46 UTC

Please be advised:

On October 14, Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense (MDN) issued a statement indicating that an IED exploded when a People’s National Army (ANP) border patrol was amid a reconnaissance mission near the western border of the country, located in Tlemcen Province’s Deglene. Deglene is located in the commune of Beni Boussaid.
A security personnel was killed and two others were wounded in the incident, which occurred on October 13.
As per the statement, Algerian security forces have taken measures to close the area and investigate the circumstances of the incident.
During the evening hours of October 14, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued condolences to the family of the killed soldier who “was subjected to a cowardly terrorist attack on our western borders.”

Assessments & Forecast:

Algerian security forces constantly operate to dismantle militant infrastructure and networks on a nationwide basis, which also includes the country’s outlying border areas. In this context, albeit more rarely, security personnel and civilians are being wounded by the detonation of landmines, with five similar instances taking place in the country since the beginning of 2021, the most recent of which was reported in Tebessa on October 11. With that said, no similar security-related incidents were recorded in Tlemcen Province since at least the beginning of 2020. The current incident is thus notable given its rarity and highlights a risk to travel along the border areas between Algeria and Morocco around Deglene, located in the immediate proximity to the N99 Highway, a few km east of the Moroccan border, and 55 km southwest of Tlemcen’s provincial capital.
FORECAST: Given the absence of similar incidents in the past two years, the ANP will likely bolster its operations in the area over the coming days and weeks in order to uncover and dismantle further militant infrastructure in the region. The location’s geography, which is characterized by rural, sparsely-populated, and forest-dense mountainous areas, is likely to pose a challenge to these efforts, as such areas provide better refuge for militants. As part of these efforts, similar attacks, as well as potential clashes between security forces and militants in the area, cannot be ruled out over the coming days.
In addition, this incident comes amid increasing tensions between the Algerian and Moroccan governments, as part of which Algerian officials have accused Morocco of supporting militant groups within Algeria in recent months. This prompted the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the parties. FORECAST: Given the proximity of the incident to the Moroccan border together with the rarity of such incidents, it cannot be ruled out that the Algerian government will accuse Morocco of involvement in the attack. Should this occur, it would contribute to the already elevated tensions between the two countries. In any case, such a development is unlikely to lead to tensions between Algerian and Moroccan forces in the border area. The incident will be confined to Algerian security forces’ operations within Algerian territory. However, Algerian authorities will likely bolster security presence along the border over the coming days.

Recommendations:

Those operating in Algeria’s western border areas, particularly in Tlemcen, are advised to adhere to authorities’ instructions given the elevated potential for security operations in the region over the coming days.
Travel to Algiers may continue while adhering to security precautions regarding civil unrest. It is advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of the Grand Post Office, Martyrs’ Square, Place Maurice Audin, and Didouche Mourad Street as these locales serve as focal points for anti-government protests. Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support options.
Those conducting essential business operations in the outlying areas of northern Algeria, including in the provinces surrounding Algiers, such as Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, and Medea, are advised to avoid travel to the mountainous regions due to the underlying threat of militant activity in the region.
Avoid all travel to the vicinity of Algeria’s border regions with Tunisia, Mali, Niger, and Libya due to the heightened threat of militant activity as a result of a spillover of violence from these countries.

Medium

Deglene, Beni Boussaid, Tlemcen Province; Algeria

Medium

Confirmed

Please be advised:

On October 14, Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense (MDN) issued a statement indicating that an IED exploded when a People’s National Army (ANP) border patrol was amid a reconnaissance mission near the western border of the country, located in Tlemcen Province’s Deglene. Deglene is located in the commune of Beni Boussaid.
A security personnel was killed and two others were wounded in the incident, which occurred on October 13.
As per the statement, Algerian security forces have taken measures to close the area and investigate the circumstances of the incident.
During the evening hours of October 14, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune issued condolences to the family of the killed soldier who “was subjected to a cowardly terrorist attack on our western borders.”

Assessments & Forecast:

Algerian security forces constantly operate to dismantle militant infrastructure and networks on a nationwide basis, which also includes the country’s outlying border areas. In this context, albeit more rarely, security personnel and civilians are being wounded by the detonation of landmines, with five similar instances taking place in the country since the beginning of 2021, the most recent of which was reported in Tebessa on October 11. With that said, no similar security-related incidents were recorded in Tlemcen Province since at least the beginning of 2020. The current incident is thus notable given its rarity and highlights a risk to travel along the border areas between Algeria and Morocco around Deglene, located in the immediate proximity to the N99 Highway, a few km east of the Moroccan border, and 55 km southwest of Tlemcen’s provincial capital.
FORECAST: Given the absence of similar incidents in the past two years, the ANP will likely bolster its operations in the area over the coming days and weeks in order to uncover and dismantle further militant infrastructure in the region. The location’s geography, which is characterized by rural, sparsely-populated, and forest-dense mountainous areas, is likely to pose a challenge to these efforts, as such areas provide better refuge for militants. As part of these efforts, similar attacks, as well as potential clashes between security forces and militants in the area, cannot be ruled out over the coming days.
In addition, this incident comes amid increasing tensions between the Algerian and Moroccan governments, as part of which Algerian officials have accused Morocco of supporting militant groups within Algeria in recent months. This prompted the deterioration of diplomatic relations between the parties. FORECAST: Given the proximity of the incident to the Moroccan border together with the rarity of such incidents, it cannot be ruled out that the Algerian government will accuse Morocco of involvement in the attack. Should this occur, it would contribute to the already elevated tensions between the two countries. In any case, such a development is unlikely to lead to tensions between Algerian and Moroccan forces in the border area. The incident will be confined to Algerian security forces’ operations within Algerian territory. However, Algerian authorities will likely bolster security presence along the border over the coming days.

Recommendations:

Those operating in Algeria’s western border areas, particularly in Tlemcen, are advised to adhere to authorities’ instructions given the elevated potential for security operations in the region over the coming days.
Travel to Algiers may continue while adhering to security precautions regarding civil unrest. It is advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of the Grand Post Office, Martyrs’ Square, Place Maurice Audin, and Didouche Mourad Street as these locales serve as focal points for anti-government protests. Contact us at [email protected] or +44 20-3540-0434 for itinerary and contingency support options.
Those conducting essential business operations in the outlying areas of northern Algeria, including in the provinces surrounding Algiers, such as Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, and Medea, are advised to avoid travel to the mountainous regions due to the underlying threat of militant activity in the region.
Avoid all travel to the vicinity of Algeria’s border regions with Tunisia, Mali, Niger, and Libya due to the heightened threat of militant activity as a result of a spillover of violence from these countries.

Medium

Deglene, Beni Boussaid, Tlemcen Province; Algeria

Medium

Confirmed

Algeria Alert: Soldier killed in detonation of IED in Tlemcen Province’s Deglene, per October 14 statement; notable given rarity

Please be advised:

Assessments & Forecast:

Recommendations:

Please be advised:

Assessments & Forecast:

Recommendations:

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