Collapse of Trust within the Algerian Army: Equipment Crisis and Leadership Scandals Shake the Military from Within

By Imane Alaoui

The Algerian military establishment is experiencing one of its most turbulent periods in decades, amid a wave of internal scandals that have implicated senior officers, reports of some commanders fleeing abroad, and others being detained. Added to this are worsening living conditions within barracks and delays in salary payments — factors that have eroded much of the army’s morale and professional cohesion. The institution that the Algerian regime long portrayed as a model of discipline and strength is now suffering from deep internal fractures, raising fears of unprecedented instability.

According to consistent sources, recent months have seen a series of arrests targeting prominent figures within Algeria’s intelligence and field command structures, while others have reportedly attempted to escape the country to avoid politically motivated purges or trials. These developments, coinciding with a sweeping restructuring of the security and military apparatus, have exposed fierce rivalries between power factions — each seeking to safeguard its own interests amid growing uncertainty at the top and a visible decline in internal discipline.

The crisis, however, goes beyond leadership infighting. Reports indicate that numerous military units are struggling with recurring malfunctions in Russian-made equipment — the backbone of Algeria’s arsenal — due to a shortage of spare parts and soaring maintenance costs. This situation has directly undermined combat readiness, forcing some units to scale down operations or rely on outdated, ineffective hardware. With the ongoing war in Ukraine crippling Moscow’s ability to fulfill export orders, Algeria’s near-total dependence on Russian weaponry has left its armed forces struggling to maintain operational capability.

Meanwhile, lower-ranking soldiers and officers face mounting hardships, as delayed salaries, canceled pay raises, and deteriorating food and housing conditions inside several barracks become the norm. Testimonies circulating widely suggest a growing sense of frustration and mistrust within the ranks, at a time when the military leadership appears preoccupied with internal power struggles rather than improving the institution’s performance and welfare.

Analysts argue that the turmoil within the Algerian army is not a passing crisis but a sign of deeper systemic decay threatening the balance of power in the country. Since independence, the military has been the backbone of Algeria’s political system; yet with mounting economic pressures and dwindling foreign currency reserves, the regime can no longer appease its generals with lucrative rewards and contracts as it once did. This has fueled what some describe as a “silent rebellion” within the army’s mid and upper echelons.

As tensions deepen, Algeria now stands at a perilous crossroads. The destabilization of its military — the very institution that has held the country together for over half a century — could have profound consequences, potentially shaking the foundations of the state itself.