France Ends Algerian Military’s Hybrid Warfare

In recent days, French authorities have grappled with a surge of online content glorifying terrorism and violence. Prime Minister Bruno Retailleau has instructed prefects and law enforcement agencies to adopt stringent measures to counter this alarming trend. Her directive follows the arrest of three Algerian influencers accused of inciting acts of terrorism and violence against both French and Algerian individuals. Among them was Youcef A., alias “Zazou Youssef,” a 25-year-old Algerian resident in France, whose vehement Arabic-language TikToks encouraged violent acts. Similar content was attributed to two other individuals under expulsion orders, “Imad Tintin” and “Doualemn”, who openly called for heinous acts on French soil.

The three Algerian influencers accused of inciting acts of terrorism and violence against French and Algerians

The memorandum urges officials to implement a multi-pronged approach to neutralize online threats. These include:

Real-Time Monitoring and Reporting: Authorities are instructed to actively monitor social platforms and flag inflammatory content via the Pharos reporting platform. The focus is on swift removal and blocking of harmful material.

Rapid Identification of Perpetrators: Law enforcement must expedite the identification of individuals behind the incendiary posts. These efforts include assessing the threat level and ensuring suspects are added to the DGSI’s database for preventing terrorism-linked radicalization (FSPRT).

Administrative and Legal Measures: Special attention is directed at foreign nationals implicated in terrorism glorification. Prefects are to reassess the residency status of such individuals, with an emphasis on withdrawing residence permits and issuing Obligation to Leave French Territory (OQTF) orders. Further, the memo calls for immediate placement in administrative detention centers to expedite deportations.

There are, of course, likely undisclosed instructions to the Prefects not shared with Le Figaro, which may pertain to the surveillance of French nationals acting as agents of the Algerian military regime such as Chems-Eddine Hafiz, Mehdi Ghezzar, Karim Zeribi, and Nasser Khabat, as well as foreign operatives like Mohamed Louanigui.

suspects who express violent views are added to the DGSI database: database for the prevention of radicalization linked to terrorism (FSPRT)

The directive is already yielding results. On Monday January 6, 2024, the Rhône prefecture flagged three additional influencers accused of inciting violence through social media. Among them, prominent accounts include TikTok personality Sofia Benlemmane, whose inflammatory live streams have garnered widespread attention. Prefect Fabienne Buccio confirmed the identification of these individuals and referred their cases to the appropriate legal channels.

As France confronts the hybrid warfare orchestrated by Algeria to incite agitation and chaos, the Prime Minister’s actions show focus on domestic policy through decisive administrative measures. This effectively deters future incidents and safeguard public safety but also to deliver a firm and resolute response to Algeria’s interference. The Algiers military regime is now left in a markedly weakened position, with its whole network in France identified and under surveillance.

Abderrahmane Fares