After African Lion 2026, Algeria conducts military exercise near the Moroccan border

The chief of staff of the Algerian army, Saïd Chengriha, oversaw a tactical military exercise on Wednesday, May 13, in Béchar, headquarters of the country’s Third Military Region near the Moroccan border.

At the Hammaguir training ground, a former site used by France for nuclear tests between 1952 and 1967, Chengriha observed live-fire operations carried out by participating units. According to Algerian state media, the exercise was deemed a «complete success» in terms of preparation, planning, and execution.

The visit came just days after the conclusion of the 2026 edition of African Lion 2026, the joint military exercise organized by Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the U.S. military, which ended on May 8 at Cap Draa.

Before being appointed head of Algeria’s land forces in August 2018, Chengriha had commanded the Third Military Region, which includes the Tindouf camps under its administrative authority.

He has previously overseen similar live-fire exercises near the Moroccan border, particularly ahead of African Lion drills, including in 2023 and 2024.