First Russian-Algerian manoeuvres begin in North Ossetia

Russia's desire for influence in the Middle East region continues to grow. In the face of new US policies of non-expansion, the Eurasian giant's foreign policy is undaunted and is making moves in the North African region.

Thus, Russia and Algeria have begun joint military operations in the republic of North Ossetia, in the North Caucasus Federal District. The manoeuvres, announced last April, are taking place at the "Tarskoye" manoeuvre field, a scenario that is intended to involve 80 soldiers from Russia's Southern Military Region, which in turn form part of the large mechanised infantry elementary units located in the North Caucasus. In Algeria, 80 soldiers from the Algerian Armed Forces will take part in the new military exercises

With these operations, both armies aim to increase the effectiveness, as well as the availability of both the leadership bodies and the forces and resources needed to continue taking steps in the fight against terrorism. In this way, the military will carry out exercises to search for, arrest and eliminate organised armed groups, deactivate explosive devices, as well as exercises to recognise nuclear, chemical and biological material in buildings and in the operational field.

In this plan, which is part of the training plan for the troops of the Southern Military Region in 2021, military personnel are expected to participate in international exercises to be conducted jointly with the Armed Forces of Abkhazia, Armenia, India, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Egypt and South Ossetia.

These joint activities are being held in line with the international cooperation plan, which aims to revive and promote military cooperation between these countries. In this regard, Sputnik news agency quoted a representative of the Southern Military Department as affirming the start of these military operations. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the Southern Military District Command and the Algerian army, who stressed that the operations will continue until 11 October.

In addition, these exercises coincide with the testing of the first launch of a hypersonic cruise missile. The "Trikston", as the new missile is called, was launched from a submarine against a naval target in the Barents Sea, according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

In Algeria, the Arab Spring did not generate particular political turmoil in the country, and Algeria's policies remain substantially opaque. However, its opacity does not mean that Algeria does not possess expansionist desires in the region. As has become evident in recent decades, Algeria is notoriously keen to compete with countries such as Morocco in trying to establish itself as one of the most influential countries in North Africa.

At the same time, Russia, as it has done in countries such as Egypt, Syria, Tunisia and Libya, has seen in Algeria an opportunity to gain influence due to its geostrategic position. Algeria, a country rich in hydrocarbons whose revenues represent between 40 and 45 per cent of total GDP and almost 100 per cent of its exports, makes it extremely attractive to Russia for its natural resources.

More particularly, Algeria has an important geo-strategic position in North Africa, a location that facilitates neighbourhood policy relations with the EU. Moreover, Algeria is part of the Mediterranean Dialogue, which aims to contribute to regional security and stability, achieve mutual understanding and dispel any misconceptions about NATO among Dialogue countries, thus enabling Russia to gain positions in contrast to the countries that are part of the North Atlantic Treaty.

In the military sphere, Russia's interest in military cooperation dates back to the 1990s with the signing of an agreement that succeeded in fostering diplomatic relations itself. This cooperation has led not only to the strengthening of diplomatic relations, but also to the consolidation of economic agreements, which have been solidly sustained in the hydrocarbon market. Algeria also maintains a strong dependence on Russia in terms of arms, as it has become Russia's third largest client after China and India.

Even so, Algeria has also tried to cooperate with the United States in this area in order to reduce its strong dependence on Moscow and try to achieve a certain diversification in arms supplies. In this vein, Ruslan Pukhov, Director of the Centre for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, said that after a new arms contract was signed with Algeria in 2006, the contract marked "Russia's triumphant return to North Africa".