Algerian Minister announces establishment of new air base

The Algerian Minister of Defense, Ahmed Gaid Salah, announced, on Monday, the establishment of an important deployment air base in record time, in Tamanrasset province, south of the country on the border with Mali and Niger, to protect the southern borders of Algeria from the dangers of extremism and arms smuggling.

"During our efforts to provide the requirements of successful work, we have been keen, under the support and guidance from Mr. President of the Republic, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and the Minister of National Defense, to establish an air base in this sensitive region in a short time," a statement of the Algerian Ministry of Defense said.

The minister said that Algeria's southern border represents security challenges, and that the leaders and members of the army know its sources and realize its purposes and its dimensions.
 
 This move coincided with the announcement of founding a new terrorist organization called "Supporting Islam and Muslims Organization".

The new organization includes, Ansar al-Din, which was founded in 2011, by Iyad Ag Ghaly, one of Tuareg's leaders, who rebelled against the Government of Mali in the nineties within the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Azawad, and Emirate of the Sahara region, which includes six affiliated to al-Qaeda Brigades in the Islamic Maghreb, and  al-Murabitoun Brigade as well as Massena Brigades.

The leaders of the new coalition are Iyad Ag Ghaly, the leader of Ansar al-Din organization, Yahya Abu Hamam, who leads al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb desert area, Hassan al-Ansari, the assistant of the leader of al-Murabitoun , Mokhtar Belmokhtar, and Abu legitimate Judge  of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.