Algeria : Commander of border with Morocco region appointed army chief

In his role as Minister Delegate to the Minister of Defense, General Said Chengriha has introduced several changes to the hierarchy of the Algerian army.

On Thursday, November 21, he appointed Major General Moustapha Smaili, formerly in charge of the 3rd Military Region based in Tindouf near the Moroccan border, as head of the army. Smaili, who oversaw the Polisario camps, shares a background with Chengriha, who also led the 3rd Military Region for many years and developed close ties with influential members of the Polisario leadership.

Additionally, General Nasreddine Fodil has been named the new Commander of the 3rd Military Region.

Under Chengriha's oversight, the Algerian army frequently conducts live ammunition exercises in the border zone with Morocco, supervised by the 3rd Military Region. The latest of these drills occurred in Béchar in April 2024.