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{{short description|Algerian state intelligence service}}
{{morefootnotes|date=November 2018}}
{{morefootnotes|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox Government agency
{{Infobox Government agency
|agency_name = Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité (DRS)
| agency_name = Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS)
|abbreviation = DRS
| nativename_a =
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| logo = Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS).png
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| formed = November 1962
|formed = 1990
| preceding1 =
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| preceding2 =
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| dissolved = March 2016
|dissolved = 2015
| superseding =
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| jurisdiction =
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| headquarters = [[Algiers]], [[Algeria]]
|jurisdiction =
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| employees =
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|headquarters = [[Algiers]], [[Algeria]]
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| budget = [[Classified information|Classified]]
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|budget = [[Classified information|Classified]]
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'''Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité''' ('''DRS''') (Arabic: دائرة الإستعلام والأمن) ({{lang-en|Department of Intelligence and Security}}) was the [[Algeria]]n [[Government of Algeria|state]] [[intelligence service]]. Its existence dates back to the [[Algeria War|struggle for independence]]. In 2016 it was dissolved by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and replaced by the Direction des services de sécurité.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-algeria-security-idUSKCN0V31PU|title=Algeria's Bouteflika dissolves DRS spy unit, creates new agency: sources|last=Chikhi|first=Lamine|date=June 16, 2016|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref>
The '''Department of Intelligence and Security''' ('''DRS''') (Arabic: دائرة الإستعلام والأمن) ({{lang-fr|Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité}}) was the [[Algeria]]n [[Government of Algeria|state]] [[intelligence service]]. Its existence dates back to the [[Algeria War|struggle for independence]].
In 2016, it was dissolved by President [[Abdelaziz Bouteflika]] and replaced by the [[Direction des services de sécurité]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-algeria-security-idUSKCN0V31PU|title=Algeria's Bouteflika dissolves DRS spy unit, creates new agency: sources|last=Chikhi|first=Lamine|date=June 16, 2016|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=June 16, 2017}}</ref>


==History==
==History==
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{{refimprove section|date=January 2013}}
{{refimprove section|date=January 2013}}
[[File:DTN-MALG Algerian War.png|thumbnail|Members of the National Communications department (DTN) of MALG]]
[[File:DTN-MALG Algerian War.png|thumbnail|Members of the National Communications department (DTN) of MALG]]
The DRS was formed as the ''Ministère de l'Armement et des Liaisons générales'' (MALG) during the [[Algeria War|Algerian War for independence]], under the direction by [[Abdelhafid Boussouf]], whose role was to lead both the national and international networks of the [[National Liberation Front (Algeria)|Front de libération nationale]] (FLN). After independence in 1962, and particularly with the accession of [[Houari Boumédiène]] to the leadership of the country in 1965, the Algerian intelligence services greatly professionalised and institutionalised.
The DRS was formed as the ''[[Ministère de l'Armement et des Liaisons générales]]'' (MALG) during the [[Algeria War|Algerian War for independence]], under the direction by [[Abdelhafid Boussouf]], whose role was to lead both the national and international networks of the [[National Liberation Front (Algeria)|Front de libération nationale]] (FLN). After independence in 1962, and particularly with the accession of [[Houari Boumédiène]] to the leadership of the country in 1965, the Algerian intelligence services greatly professionalised and institutionalised.


MALG was organized under five departments :
MALG was organized under five departments :
Line 51: Line 53:


===Sécurité Militaire===
===Sécurité Militaire===
This change of internal organization was modeled to a large extent on the intelligence and internal security services of the then [[Eastern bloc]] Nations. Renamed '''Sécurité Militaire (SM)''' its directives were:
This change of internal organization was modeled to a large extent on the intelligence and internal security services of the then [[Eastern bloc]] Nations. Renamed ({{lang-fr|Sécurité Militaire|lit=Military Security}}), its directives were:
* [[Counter-espionage]]
* [[Counter-espionage]]
* [[Internal security]]
* [[Internal security]]
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===DRS===
===DRS===
The [[1988 October Riots|riots]] and turmoil of October 1988 caused president Chadli Bendjedid to dismiss General Ayat, who was succeeded by General Betchine. His tenure saw major political change, beginning with the advent of a [[multi-party system|multi-party political system]] and the rise of the Islamist movement of the [[Islamic Salvation Front|FIS]]. Betchine was then replaced by Mohamed Mediène in November 1990, who serves as its head today. Following this, the Services changed its name once again, from DGPS to DRS. Outside observers have charged that Mediène was one of the junta of generals who forced the cancellation the [[Algerian legislative election, 1991|1991 elections]] which the [[Islamist]]s were set to win, plunging the nation into a war against the Islamist, and greatly increasing the power of the military—and the DRS—in Algeria's government.<ref>Omar Ashour. [http://www.mideasti.org/files/Ashour-Algeria.pdf Islamist De-Radicalization in Algeria: Successes and Failures]. The Middle East Institute Policy Brief No.21. November 2008 (p.11, n.68)</ref>
The [[1988 October Riots|riots]] and turmoil of October 1988 caused president Chadli Bendjedid to dismiss General Ayat, who was succeeded by General Betchine. His tenure saw major political change, beginning with the advent of a [[multi-party system|multi-party political system]] and the rise of the Islamist movement of the [[Islamic Salvation Front|FIS]]. Betchine was then replaced by Mohamed Mediène in November 1990, who served until 2015. Following this, the Services changed its name once again, from DGPS to DRS. Outside observers have charged that Mediène was one of the junta of generals who forced the cancellation the [[Algerian legislative election, 1991|1991 elections]] which the [[Islamist]]s were set to win, plunging the nation into a war against the Islamist, and greatly increasing the power of the military—and the DRS—in Algeria's government.<ref>Omar Ashour. [http://www.mideasti.org/files/Ashour-Algeria.pdf Islamist De-Radicalization in Algeria: Successes and Failures] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127144221/http://www.mideasti.org/files/Ashour-Algeria.pdf |date=2008-11-27 }}. The Middle East Institute Policy Brief No.21. November 2008 (p.11, n.68)</ref>


It was in this period that the DRS reasserted its role in internal security, becoming an active player in the [[Algerian Civil War]] of the 1990s.<ref>Evans and Phillips (2008), passim</ref><ref>Jeanne Kervyn and François Gèze. [http://www.algerie-tpp.org/tpp/pdf/dossier_16_forces_repression.pdf L’organisation des forces de répression]. Comité Justice pour l'Algérie, Dossier n° 16. September 2004.</ref> It reportedly had as many as 100,000 agents that infiltrated many segments of society.<ref name="lepoint">{{cite web|last1=Duteil|first1=Mireille|title=Mohamed Mediène, l'homme le plus mystérieux d'Algérie|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/mireille-duteil/mohamed-mediene-l-homme-le-plus-mysterieux-d-algerie-16-04-2014-1813536_239.php|website=Le Point|accessdate=7 May 2015|date=14 April 2014}}</ref> DRS agents infiltrated and manipulated terrorist groups, and repressed different Islamist groups. It also blocked negotiations both by the ruling and opposition powers with the FIS.
It was in this period that the DRS reasserted its role in internal security, becoming an active player in the [[Algerian Civil War]] of the 1990s.<ref>Evans and Phillips (2008), passim</ref><ref>Jeanne Kervyn and François Gèze. [http://www.algerie-tpp.org/tpp/pdf/dossier_16_forces_repression.pdf L’organisation des forces de répression]. Comité Justice pour l'Algérie, Dossier n° 16. September 2004.</ref> It reportedly had as many as 100,000 agents that infiltrated many segments of society.<ref name="lepoint">{{cite web|last1=Duteil|first1=Mireille|title=Mohamed Mediène, l'homme le plus mystérieux d'Algérie|url=http://www.lepoint.fr/editos-du-point/mireille-duteil/mohamed-mediene-l-homme-le-plus-mysterieux-d-algerie-16-04-2014-1813536_239.php|website=Le Point|access-date=7 May 2015|date=14 April 2014}}</ref> DRS agents infiltrated and manipulated terrorist groups, and repressed different Islamist groups. It also blocked negotiations both by the ruling and opposition powers with the FIS.


In September 2013, the DRS was reorganized to bring more of its power under the state's control.
In September 2013, the DRS was reorganized to bring more of its power under the state's control. In 2016, it was dissolved entirely and replaced.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Groupe d'Intervention Spécial]] (GIS) is a special force (300 members) under the direction of the DRS.


==Chairmen of the DRS==
==Chairmen of the DRS==
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* [[Mohamed Betchine]] from 1988 to 1990
* [[Mohamed Betchine]] from 1988 to 1990
* [[Mohamed Mediène]] from 1990 to 2015
* [[Mohamed Mediène]] from 1990 to 2015
* [[Athmane Tartag]] since 2015 to 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ennaharonline.com/%d8%a5%d9%86%d9%87%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d9%85%d9%87%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%84%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%a1-%d8%a8%d8%b4%d9%8a%d8%b1-%d8%b7%d8%b1%d8%b7%d8%a7%d9%82-%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%b9%d9%84%d9%89-%d8%b1%d8%a3%d8%b3/|title=إنهاء مهام اللواء بشير طرطاق من على رأس المخابرات|date=5 April 2019|website=النهار أونلاين}}</ref>
* [[Athmane Tartag]] since 2015


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.desaparecidos.org/bbs/archives/cat_algeria.html Algerians count cost of burying the past]. Financial Times. July 4, 2007.
*[http://www.desaparecidos.org/bbs/archives/cat_algeria.html Algerians count cost of burying the past]. Financial Times. July 4, 2007.
*[https://www.amnesty.org/fr/news-and-updates/feature-stories/algeria-persistent-torture-by-the-military-security-in-secret-locations-20070610 Algérie. Pratique persistante de la torture par la Sécurité militaire dans des lieux tenus secrets]. [[Amnesty International]]. 10 June 2007.
*[https://www.amnesty.org/fr/news-and-updates/feature-stories/algeria-persistent-torture-by-the-military-security-in-secret-locations-20070610 Algérie. Pratique persistante de la torture par la Sécurité militaire dans des lieux tenus secrets]. [[Amnesty International]]. 10 June 2007.
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Departement Du Renseignement Et De La Securite}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Departement Du Renseignement Et De La Securite}}
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1954]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1954]]
[[Category:Government agencies disestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Algeria]]
[[Category:Law enforcement in Algeria]]
[[Category:Algerian intelligence agencies]]
[[Category:Algerian intelligence agencies]]

Latest revision as of 17:26, 17 May 2024

Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS)
Agency overview
FormedNovember 1962
DissolvedMarch 2016
HeadquartersAlgiers, Algeria
Annual budgetClassified

The Department of Intelligence and Security (DRS) (Arabic: دائرة الإستعلام والأمن) (French: Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité) was the Algerian state intelligence service. Its existence dates back to the struggle for independence.

In 2016, it was dissolved by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and replaced by the Direction des services de sécurité.[1]

History[edit]

Formation, MALG[edit]

Members of the National Communications department (DTN) of MALG

The DRS was formed as the Ministère de l'Armement et des Liaisons générales (MALG) during the Algerian War for independence, under the direction by Abdelhafid Boussouf, whose role was to lead both the national and international networks of the Front de libération nationale (FLN). After independence in 1962, and particularly with the accession of Houari Boumédiène to the leadership of the country in 1965, the Algerian intelligence services greatly professionalised and institutionalised.

MALG was organized under five departments :

  1. DTN: National Communications department
  2. DDR: Documentation and Research department, responsible for military research
  3. DVCR: Vigilance and Counter Intelligence
  4. DLG: Army post network
  5. Management of logistics for acquiring, storing, and routing weapons and equipment.

Sécurité Militaire[edit]

This change of internal organization was modeled to a large extent on the intelligence and internal security services of the then Eastern bloc Nations. Renamed (French: Sécurité Militaire, lit. 'Military Security'), its directives were:

The first appointed Chairman of Military Security was the colonel Kasdi Merbah who stayed until the death of president Boumédiène in 1978. Then he was succeeded for a short time by colonel Yazid Zerhouni. President Chadli Bendjedid, who mistrusted the SM, dismantled it and renamed it the DGPS. Chadli appointed to the chair of the DGPS general Lakehal Ayat, reorganising the agency to work solely in foreign intelligence.

DRS[edit]

The riots and turmoil of October 1988 caused president Chadli Bendjedid to dismiss General Ayat, who was succeeded by General Betchine. His tenure saw major political change, beginning with the advent of a multi-party political system and the rise of the Islamist movement of the FIS. Betchine was then replaced by Mohamed Mediène in November 1990, who served until 2015. Following this, the Services changed its name once again, from DGPS to DRS. Outside observers have charged that Mediène was one of the junta of generals who forced the cancellation the 1991 elections which the Islamists were set to win, plunging the nation into a war against the Islamist, and greatly increasing the power of the military—and the DRS—in Algeria's government.[2]

It was in this period that the DRS reasserted its role in internal security, becoming an active player in the Algerian Civil War of the 1990s.[3][4] It reportedly had as many as 100,000 agents that infiltrated many segments of society.[5] DRS agents infiltrated and manipulated terrorist groups, and repressed different Islamist groups. It also blocked negotiations both by the ruling and opposition powers with the FIS.

In September 2013, the DRS was reorganized to bring more of its power under the state's control. In 2016, it was dissolved entirely and replaced.[1]

Chairmen of the DRS[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Chikhi, Lamine (June 16, 2016). "Algeria's Bouteflika dissolves DRS spy unit, creates new agency: sources". Reuters. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  2. ^ Omar Ashour. Islamist De-Radicalization in Algeria: Successes and Failures Archived 2008-11-27 at the Wayback Machine. The Middle East Institute Policy Brief No.21. November 2008 (p.11, n.68)
  3. ^ Evans and Phillips (2008), passim
  4. ^ Jeanne Kervyn and François Gèze. L’organisation des forces de répression. Comité Justice pour l'Algérie, Dossier n° 16. September 2004.
  5. ^ Duteil, Mireille (14 April 2014). "Mohamed Mediène, l'homme le plus mystérieux d'Algérie". Le Point. Retrieved 7 May 2015.
  6. ^ "إنهاء مهام اللواء بشير طرطاق من على رأس المخابرات". النهار أونلاين. 5 April 2019.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Department_of_Intelligence_and_Security_(DRS)&oldid=1224320403"