DUBAI — A week after the attack claimed by the local Al-Qaeda branch, which claimed the lives of 11 Algerian soldiers, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has taken major changes at the highest level. These amendments concern three key positions in the army, relating to both, the domestic and the head of state's security, according to local prominent media outlets. The dismissed are the head of the Directorate of Security and Presidential Protection Gen. Maj. Jamel Majdoub, the head of the Republican Guard Gen. Major Ahmed Moulay Miliani, and the head of the counter-espionage's unit Gen. Maj. Abdelhamid Ben Daoud, according to Alnnahar, Elkhabar, and Elwatan websites. There has not yet been any official announcement of the changes, however, and according to these media outlets — which are close to the government — the officials were removed from their posts for “negligence, errors and lack of performance.” Elwatan's report refers to an “accident” that occurred last week in which two security guards sparked panic at the Zeralda presidential residence, west of Algiers, by “firing shots which caused widespread panic in the residence dedicated to the head of state.” Elkabar, said that the reason behind the presidential decisions, was a “serious and a very dangerous security breach” inside the residence which is dedicated to accommodate the president and Algeria's foreign senior guests.” Elkhabar added that “Tongues within the political circle are talking about a serious dangerous armed attempt to enter the president's residence in Zeralda.” Not the first time An expert on Algerian affairs, told Al Arabiya News that he “believes that it is not the first time, such incident was reported.” He added that some “angry former commanders who were dismissed or moved from their positions during the last two years, might be behind such incidents without any serious radical plan to make trouble anywhere in the country. From my point of view, it is just some kind of protest and nothing else" he added. Bouteflika, who was re-elected to a fourth term in April 2014, had already made major changes in the intelligence and security departments the previous autumn. Bouteflika is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and defense minister. Since he suffered a stroke in 2013, he can only move in a wheelchair and has difficulty speaking. Alkhabar said that the changes made by President Bouteflika, come after two years of a "spectacular" statement made by the FLN ruling party's secretary general Ammar Saadani, who is one of those close to Bouteflica. — Al Arabiya News
