ALGERIAN PATRIOTS - ENGLISH

Among the members of the Steadfastness and Confrontation Front, created in 1977 to oppose normalization with Israel, only Algeria remains standing. Today, caught between regional pressure, tensions in Western Sahara, and instability in the Sahel, the country faces a renewed campaign of destabilization. This is the chronicle of a stubborn defiance. A Stand Taken in 1977 On December 4, 1977, in Tripoli, the Steadfastness and Confrontation Front was born as a response to Anwar Sadat’s shocking visit to Israel. For much of the Arab world, the Egyptian president’s gesture was seen as a betrayal of the Palestinian cause. In response, Algeria, Libya, Syria, South Yemen, and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) came together in a resolute rejection of normalization. Forty-seven years later, that front exists only in the annals of diplomacy. Its members have been weakened, overthrown, or thrown into chaos. All, except one: Algeria. A Historic Constant: Algeria’s Loyalty to Its Princip...

The date of August 24, 2021, will remain etched in the annals of Algerian diplomacy as the moment when Algeria, through the voice of Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra, announced the severance of its diplomatic ties with the Kingdom of Morocco. This decision, described as historic, was not the result of emotional overreaction or an isolated incident. Rather, it represents the culmination of a long series of provocations, recurrent hostilities, and destabilizing attempts, the roots of which trace back to the very founding of the Moroccan monarchy as we know it today. In this solemn declaration, Algeria took a firm and unequivocal stance, no longer viewing Morocco as a brotherly Maghreb neighbour, but as a disruptive actor threatening its stability and that of the broader region. The symbolism of the chosen date — the anniversary of Morocco's accusations against Algeria following the 1994 Marrakech attacks — lends a powerful memorial dimension to Algeria’s decision. I. The "Grea...

For several days now, the media and diplomatic landscape of the Sahel has been roiled by a series of flamboyant statements, the most resounding of which came from former Malian Prime Minister Dr. Choguel Kokalla Maïga. In a speech dated April 9, 2025, he launched a scathing attack against Algeria, accusing it of duplicity in its Sahel policy. But what is this tirade really worth, if not a carefully orchestrated distraction? More importantly, who is pulling the strings behind this African stage play? One truth stands out: those who rail against Algiers are, whether knowingly or not, serving the agendas of powers that have never relinquished their grip on the continent. A Moroccan Attempt to Rewrite African History For several years now, Morocco has been relentlessly active on the African diplomatic front, seeking to portray itself as a benevolent and selfless power. But beneath the polished rhetoric of South-South cooperation and continental integration lies a cold, calculated strateg...

 The recent diplomatic flare-up between Mali and Algeria is far more than a mere border dispute or an isolated military incident. At its core lies a deeper and more strategic struggle—one that revolves around the future of energy in the Sahel and West Africa. The competing visions for this future are embodied in two massive projects: the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP), championed by Algeria, and the Nigeria-Morocco Atlantic gas pipeline. A Crisis That Reveals Regional Fractures In early April 2025, Algeria issued a firm diplomatic note condemning Mali's "baseless allegations" after the Algerian military shot down a Malian drone that had allegedly violated Algerian airspace for the third time since August 2024. Algeria, citing radar evidence, maintained that its response was both measured and necessary. Bamako’s reaction, however, was not limited to protesting the drone incident. The Malian transitional government accused Algeria of colluding with terrorist groups—a ...

Early April 2025: Algerian Forces Shoot Down Malian Bayraktar Drone—A Strategic Shockwave Across the Sahel-Maghreb Region In early April 2025, an aerial incident involving a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akinci drone operated by the Malian army sent shockwaves through the Sahel and Maghreb regions. The drone reportedly breached Algerian airspace by two kilometers before being shot down by Algerian armed forces in under 26 seconds. This brief timeframe was enough to underscore a sharp strategic reality: Algeria's clear technological and operational superiority in aerial warfare and counter-drone systems. 1. Algeria: A Clear Message, A Proven Capability In an official statement issued on April 3, 2025, Algeria's Ministry of National Defence announced that its air defense units had detected, identified, and destroyed a foreign drone that violated national airspace near Bordj Badji Mokhtar. The aircraft, identified as a Turkish Akinci operated by Malian forces, was reportedly downed le...

After months of unprecedented tension between Algiers and Paris, high-level talks have resumed between the two capitals. Three days after a phone call between Presidents Abdelmadjid Tebboune and Emmanuel Macron, the foreign ministers of both countries, Jean-Noël Barrot and Ahmed Attaf, held discussions on April 3. This diplomatic sequence paves the way for a new phase of active negotiations, which could lead to a thaw in relations—provided that the major points of contention are addressed with due seriousness. A Revived Dialogue, Still Far from Normalization The March 31 conversation between Tebboune and Macron signaled a shared political will to renew dialogue after an eight-month diplomatic freeze triggered by disputes over historical memory, migration, and remarks deemed unacceptable by Algiers. That presidential call led to the drafting of a ten-point bilateral roadmap, intended to guide the relaunch of cooperation in sensitive areas such as security, migration, justice, economi...

In an official statement published on its Facebook page and website, Algeria’s Ministry of National Defense announced that it had shot down a Malian Akıncı drone over Tinzawatin, after it breached Algerian airspace by two kilometers. This marks the first time that the Algerian Air Force has downed a foreign drone, sending a clear and decisive message to nations that have been misusing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) near Algeria’s borders. A Swift and Controlled Response The detection and interception of the drone were carried out by a unit under the Air Defense Forces Command (ADFC) , demonstrating Algeria’s high level of preparedness and rapid response capabilities in safeguarding its airspace. While the ministry did not disclose the exact method used to neutralize the drone, analysts suggest that Algeria likely employed its advanced air defense systems , which are capable of effectively countering such aerial threats. The Growing Presence of Drones in the Sahel and North Africa ...

On August 23, 1957, a confidential CIA document was drafted, revealing crucial insights into French policy toward Algeria, then in the midst of its war of independence. Recently declassified, this document sheds new light on France’s intentions regarding the oil-rich Saharan regions and its post-independence strategies. Through diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical maneuvers, Paris sought to maintain its grip on this strategically vital territory. An Indispensable Algerian Sahara for France According to the document, France regarded the Algerian Sahara as a region of paramount importance—not only for its oil and gas resources but also for its strategic position in North Africa. With this in mind, Paris was determined to secure its control over the area at all costs, administratively detaching it from the rest of Algeria. This policy materialized in 1957 with the creation of two separate Saharan departments—an initiative designed to ensure that even in the event of Algerian independenc...

The growing prominence of Elnet (European Leadership Network) in French politics is now undeniable. Yesterday in Paris, this pro-Israel lobbying group gathered nearly 2,000 attendees, including several ministers and leading figures from the French political landscape. The event, centered around the theme “For the Republic, For France, Against Islamism” , underscores Elnet’s increasing sway over national decision-makers. Among the speakers were Manuel Valls, Bruno Retailleau, and Éric Danon—regulars at such platforms. These figures, known for their strong stances on security and international affairs, illustrate Elnet’s ability to rally high-ranking political support. Officially, the organization presents itself as an “independent network” aimed at “strengthening relations between France, Europe, and Israel.” Unofficially, however, its ambitions appear more far-reaching: to become a European counterpart to AIPAC, the powerful pro-Israel lobby in the United States. A Growing Politica...

The expulsion of Morocco’s Vice-Consul in Oran, Mohamed El-Soufyani, announced by the Algerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is yet another illustration of the threat posed by Moroccan consular representations in Algeria. This decision, justified by "suspicious acts" deemed incompatible with the mission of a consular office, strengthens the argument that maintaining Moroccan consulates after the 2021 diplomatic break was a strategic misstep. Tangible Proof of Subversive Activities by Moroccan Consulates Algeria had already warned of Morocco’s hostile actions, which led to the severance of diplomatic ties on August 24, 2021. However, allowing Moroccan consulates to remain open provided Rabat with operational bases on Algerian soil, enabling subversive activities under the guise of consular missions. The statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is unequivocal: the vice-consul’s conduct constitutes a violation of Algerian laws and international conventions, particularly ...

Relations between Algeria and France are facing a major diplomatic storm, exacerbated by Paris’ recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in July 2024. This decision, which aligns with France’s continued support for Morocco, has been perceived by Algiers as a direct threat to its strategic interests and a challenge to its long-standing position on the Sahrawi issue. In response, Algeria has recalled its ambassador from France, marking a sharp break with Paris. This strong diplomatic move reflects growing frustration over what is seen as France’s increasingly pronounced alignment with Morocco’s stance. A Firm Algerian Stance Like Never Before While some observers, particularly on the Moroccan side, have interpreted recent statements by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune as a sign of a softening Algerian position on Western Sahara, the reality is quite the opposite. Far from any shift, these statements underscore a deliberate and resolute strengthening of Algeria’s stance. By...