Rabat – A hundred Russian soldiers carried out exercises in Algeria’s Bechar Province at the end of January 2023, Algerian outlet Algerie Part reported.
The Russian soldiers performed joint training with soldiers from the Algerian army, the outlet added, specifying that the drills continued until the beginning of February.
The operation was carried out under secrecy, with a strict blockade of information to prevent the news from leaking, but Algerie Part said they were able to confirm the news after several cross-checks.
While Algerian authorities reportedly withheld information from the country’s media in the name of national security, many speculate that the reason behind the secrecy was to avoid rattling Algeria’s Western partners as the North African country continues its rapprochement with Russia.
Algeria was also set to host joint drills with Russia’s army in November 2022, only 50 kilometers away from the border with Morocco, until the Ministry of National Defense announced that they were canceled.
Observers speculate that the exercises reported by Algerie Part could be those same ones that were scheduled for November, only delayed.
Algeria has been furthering its alliance with Russia steadily over the past year, which could eventually prove difficult to deal with for its Western partners.
In an interview with RT Arabic earlier this month, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed the depth of Russo-Algerian ties, describing the country as “above the others” when it comes to its potential in joining the BRICS group.
Algeria has already been the subject of criticism, with a group of US senators calling for sanctions on the country last year following its weapon deals with Russia.
The developing alliance comes against the backdrop of European states, most notably Italy, turning to Algiers as a potential energy partner after imposing sanctions on Russia.
Referring to the US senators’ demands, Lavrov told RT Arabic that the US had “attacked the wrong person,” hinting at the North African country’s willingness to continue the rapprochement.
