By Abdul Razak bin Abdullah
ALGIERS (AA) – The Algerian Defense Ministry on Wednesday confirmed reports of major changes to the country’s military command hierarchy.
In a statement, the ministry confirmed that Said Chenagriha, commander of Algeria’s third military zone, would replace Ahcene Tager — who is retiring — as chief of the country’s ground forces.
The same statement also confirmed that Major-General Hamid Boumaiza would assume the role of air force chief, replacing Major-General Abdelkader Lounes, who is also reportedly retiring.
The replacements follow a raft of similar changes unveiled by officials earlier this week.
On Monday, the Defense Ministry announced that Mohamed Zanakhri, the ministry’s secretary-general, had been sacked — and replaced by General Hamid Ghraise — on the orders of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
Since the beginning of 2018, Bouteflika has replaced several senior security officials, including the chief of Algeria’s Defense Ministry-affiliated gendarmerie and the country’s chief of police.
