Algeria's security services have initiated a more coordinated and forceful campaign against neighborhood gangs across the country, moving beyond the sporadic operations previously conducted separately by police and gendarmerie. This full and strong campaign marks a significant shift in strategy, aiming to dismantle criminal networks with greater efficiency. This intensified effort follows directives issued by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. President Tebboune's directives show the national importance of addressing this growing challenge to public safety. Security services in provinces throughout Algeria have since carried out a series of successive operations targeting these neighborhood gangs and criminal cells, demonstrating a unified national response. These operations are designed to address the multifaceted nature of urban crime and restore peace to residential areas.
Coordinated Raids Across Provinces
In Algiers, security units conducted large-scale operations on Monday night, targeting 13 administrative security districts across the capital. These operations were meticulously planned and executed, reflecting the new coordinated approach. During these extensive operations, authorities successfully dismantled six distinct criminal networks comprising a total of 42 people. The success of these raids notes the effectiveness of the integrated strategy now being employed by Algerian law enforcement. Security forces seized a substantial cache of illicit items, including 58 prohibited bladed weapons of various types, indicating the violent potential of these gangs. In addition to weaponry, significant quantities of psychotropic substances and hard drugs, including cocaine, were confiscated, showing the gangs' involvement in illicit drug trafficking. The haul also included flares, three marine distress signals, tear-gas canisters, and 218,000 Algerian dinars in cash, further illustrating the scope of their illegal activities. The National Gendarmerie has also stepped up its operations as part of the intensified crackdown, working in tandem with police forces to maximize impact across different jurisdictions. This collaborative effort ensures a broader reach and more effective suppression of gang activities.
New Committee and Legal Framework
Members of the National Committee for the Prevention of Neighborhood Gangs have been appointed, according to a decision issued by the Ministry of the Interior, Local Authorities and Transport. This committee forms a key part of Algeria's full approach to address gang activity, providing a dedicated body to coordinate preventative measures and enforcement strategies. The establishment of this committee signifies the government's commitment to a long-term solution for urban crime.
The legal framework for this initiative is firmly established under Ordinance No. 20-03 of August 30, 2020. This ordinance provides the foundational legal authority for the ongoing crackdown and defines the parameters of illegal gang activity. Under this ordinance, a neighborhood gang is precisely defined as any group of two or more people from one or more residential neighborhoods that commits acts to create insecurity or impose control. This clear definition helps law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals involved in such groups. The law outlines severe penalties for involvement in such groups, reflecting the gravity with which the state views these offenses. Establishing or participating in a neighborhood gang may result in a significant prison sentence of three to 10 years. Additionally, offenders face a substantial fine ranging from 300,000 to 1 million Algerian dinars, serving as a strong deterrent against participation in criminal organizations.
Strategic Shift Against Urban Crime
The campaign forms part of a stringent security strategy aimed at dismantling criminal networks operating in urban areas. This initiative represents an intensified effort by Algerian authorities to address the challenges posed by organized criminal groups in cities and towns, which have been a source of concern for residents. It signifies a departure from previous, less coordinated approaches to crime prevention and law enforcement, marking a new era of proactive intervention. The strategy focuses on proactive measures to disrupt gang activities and enhance public safety in residential neighborhoods, ensuring that communities can live without fear.
Police and gendarmerie units are now conducting what authorities describe as a “joint war” against neighborhood gangs. This collaborative effort involves integrated operations and intelligence sharing between the two key security forces, moving away from independent actions that might have previously limited their effectiveness. The objective is to present a unified front against criminal organizations, leveraging the combined resources and expertise of both the National Police and the National Gendarmerie. This strategic shift is intended to improve operational effectiveness and ensure a more full response to the threat of urban crime across Algeria, ultimately aiming to restore order and security to all communities.
