Algeria sets up covert mercenary group to jolt Sahel countries

The Algerian military regime has created an underground group composed of foreign mercenaries tasked with carrying covert operations aimed at destabilizing Sahel countries, said “Sahel Intelligence” news outlet citing Algerian Gendarmerie sources.

Code-named “KL-7”, the secret paramilitary force is believed to have conducted subversive missions in Algeria’s southern neighboring countries in coordination with terrorist groups active in the Sahel.

According to the testimony of a former soldier, this clandestine group was established two years ago. It includes members from Algerian special forces and foreign mercenaries. They received advanced training in asymmetric warfare and sabotage.

This secret unit is financed by the Algerian army slush fund. It was behind several recent violent actions falsely attributed to local insurgents. These include attacks targeting civilian & military infrastructures, assassination of community leaders, and fuelling ethnic tensions in Shel countries such as Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and even Libya and Nigeria.

“This is not a spontaneous guerrilla but a methodical strategy aimed at weakening rival governments,” says a former military analyst, noting that the goal of Algiers is to stir up regional instability to maintain its dominant position and its grip on Sahel countries.

The “KL-7” alarming ties with jihadist groups operating in the region including Al-Qaeda, Islamic State or pro-Algerian Tuareg factions are prompting serious security concerns as the Algerian secret unit is suspected of providing terrorist intelligence and logistic support and even sophisticated weapons.

According to some Algerian gendarmes (county police), the training and Command Centre of this clandestine group is located in a desert area, south of Tamanrasset. It is supervised by Army chief General Saïd Chengriha or his top aids.