During an electoral meeting in Constantine on Sunday, August 18, Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune made alarming foreign policy statements, claiming that the Algerian military was prepared to intervene in Gaza if Egypt opened its borders to combat Israel.
According to a confidential report from social psychology analysts at the German Behavioral Hospital, these remarks, which have attracted significant attention, are not merely part of Tebboune’s electoral strategy for September 7 but also reflect the unconditional support he receives from the Chief of Staff of the Algerian Army (ANP), General Saïd Chengriha.
While Egypt maintains strict control over its borders with Gaza for security reasons, Tebboune’s suggestion of sending the Algerian military to Gaza remains a pure provocation. It is almost as if the head of state is implicitly accusing Egypt of blocking access to Gaza, which would be a defiant act toward a key regional ally.
Tebboune is giving the army, known for its anti-Semitic stance, a more central role in the country’s foreign policy, as evidenced by his statements on a possible military intervention in Gaza. General Saïd Chengriha, head of the Algerian military, is a key pillar of Tebboune’s regime, especially during times of political turbulence. Since coming to power, the Algerian president has ensured the loyalty of the armed forces, a crucial institution in Algerian politics.