Algeria 2019 Crime & Safety Report This is an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Algiers, Algeria. The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses Algeria at Level 2, indicating travelers should exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Do not travel to areas near the eastern and southern borders, or areas in the Sahara Desert due to terrorism. Overall Crime and Safety Situation The U.S. Embassy in Algiers does not assume responsibility for the professional ability or integrity of the persons or firms appearing in this report. The American Citizens’ Services unit (ACS) cannot recommend a particular individual or location, and assumes no responsibility for the quality of service provided. Review OSAC’s Algeria-specific webpage for original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC password. Crime Threats There is moderate risk from crime in Algiers. While the government does not publish crime statistics, media and anecdotal reporting indicate that the frequency and intensity of criminal activity remains moderate. A significant percentage of crimes likely goes unreported. The most common crimes tend to be crimes of opportunity (e.g. pickpocketing, purse snatching, burglaries, and similar crimes) perpetrated by criminals who operate primarily in high-traffic and high-density areas. Criminals tend to focus on those who appear unfamiliar with their surroundings or have otherwise drawn attention to themselves. Areas foreigners frequent are generally less vulnerable, since they enjoy more robust police presence, though crime still does occur. Algiers, like many of the larger coastal cities, is considered safer due to the significant deployment of security forces. In addition to police personnel, the wilaya (province) of Algiers employs an extensive camera network for monitoring general safety and fighting crime. Algeria uses video surveillance in seven major cities and expects to expand the program. General theft and residential burglaries are more common in low-income neighborhoods, but do occasionally occur in more affluent areas. Because burglaries are often crimes of opportunity, a well-secured home is often enough to deter criminals. Many middle-class Algerian families improve their residential security by installing grilles over windows and doors. Assume that criminals prepare for confrontation, though most avoid violence. Of note, in 2018 there were only ten reported murders in Algiers, a city of over 3.5 million residents. 1 Cybersecurity Issues As in most parts of the world, cybersecurity incidents continue to be a concern in Algeria. A national police statement identified 1,140 cybercrime cases in 2018, compared to 1,500 reported cases in 2017. The decrease in cases may be related to an increase in efforts to counter known abusers and a campaign by authorities to warn citizens. Businesses (especially banks) and social networks appear to be the top targets for fraud, blackmail, and radicalization. Other Areas of Concern Violent extremist groups and criminal networks operate around Algeria’s nearly 4,000 miles of land borders. Terrorist activity in Libya, Tunisia, and Mali, as well as human and narcotics trafficking continue to cause concern. Weapons seizures are most common in the southern border regions, while the Algerian government has identified the western border region as increasingly burdened by drug smuggling. Due to security incidents, including al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) kidnappings, many governments around the world identify the Sahel as an area of concern. When traveling outside of Algiers, make security arrangements and ensure reliable and experienced transportation or logistical support. In general, avoid mountainous regions in less populated and less traveled areas where security services do not have a significant presence. It is a good security practice for all travelers to check in with the local authorities. The Algerian government often requires foreign employees of foreign companies and organizations based in Algeria to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before traveling to the interior. The Ministry will notify local police of planned travel, and may assign police escorts to the travelers. Foreigners traveling to the military zone established around the Hassi Messaoud oil center require an additional “desert pass” authorization from the Government of Algeria. The Algerian government does not permit diplomats, including U.S. Embassy staff, to travel outside the wilaya of Algiers without prior coordination with the Algerian government. For this reason, along with local security concerns, the provision of consular services in certain areas of Algeria may be limited. Remain on principal highways when traveling to coastal or mountainous areas outside of Algiers. Transportation-Safety Situation Road Safety and Road Conditions Road infrastructure remains insufficient for the growing number of vehicles on the roads. Traffic management resources are somewhat inadequate, and the ability to expand or create new roads to alleviate congestion in large cities is limited. The government continues to expand the number of paved roads between major urban areas. The National Center for Prevention and Road Accidents (CNPSR) reported 22,991 road accidents nationwide in 2018 including 3,310 deaths and 32,570 injuries. This marked a decrease from 2017 when more than 3,600 people reportedly died and 36,000 were injured in road accidents. Most traffic fatalities occurred on highways, where the main factors are reckless or unskilled drivers, lack of respect for traffic laws, lack of enforcement, and lack of sufficient lighting. 2 Police and military checkpoints are common on major roads in large cities and throughout the countryside. Law enforcement personnel routinely stop and inspect vehicles for security purposes and traffic law compliance. During times of heightened security, the number of vehicle checkpoints and police often increases. For more information on self-driving, review OSAC’s Report, Driving Overseas: Best Practices. Public Transportation Conditions There are numerous taxi services in major cities, to include several radio-dispatch taxis and new digital app services in Algiers. Traditional taxi services are of questionable reliability and exhibit inconsistent service. Avoid hailing taxis on the street, as accountability of the driver is difficult and picking up multiple passengers is common. A well-maintained urban metro rail line in Algiers has limited usefulness, as it only passes through coastal neighborhoods. Aviation/Airport Conditions Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), which provides international and national flights, is located in Dar el Beïda, east of Algiers. The airport adheres to international air safety standards and management of flight operations. While security procedures and resources are not on par with U.S. airports, security personnel are present and active. The government has taken steps to improve airport security in recent years, to include building a more modern international terminal set to open in 2019. Terrorism Threat Local, Regional, and International Terrorism Threats/Concerns There is moderate risk from terrorism in Algiers. Terrorist groups remain active in the Sahara region. AQIM, AQIM-allied groups, and ISIS elements, including the Algerian affiliate locally known as Jund al-Khilafah in Algeria (JAK-A, Soldiers of the Caliphate in Algeria), are present. These groups aspire to attack Algerian security services, local government targets, and Western interests. Almost all reported terrorist attacks in 2018 targeted Algerian security forces and involved improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or ambush tactics as suspects actively fled through rural mountainous regions. The majority of these attacks occurred in the east extending to the borders with Tunisia. This includes two February 2018 IED attacks targeting military detachments near Khenchela and Tebessa, which led to the death of seven soldiers. It also includes the deadliest attack of 2018, a July ambush in Skikda that resulted in the deaths of seven soldiers and at least 14 additional injuries. The western part of the country also witnessed a resumption of terrorist activity, specifically in Sidi Bel Abbas, following the assassination of two imams inside a mosque in May. The ensuing police operation hunting the ISIS-affiliated group (previously split from AQIM) resulted in the death of a soldier and the injury of seven others in an IED blast. Of special note, the attacks conducted in 2018 were generally absent any official claims by terrorist groups, unlike in previous years when groups usually claimed credit for acts of terror immediately. 3 The government continues to eliminate terrorist activity with a large, capable security apparatus. Through numerous sweeping operations, the National Army reportedly killed 30 terrorists in 2018. The most significant operation occurred in Khenchela in January, when authorities killed eight terrorists, including prominent AQIM leaders from Tunisia attempting to unify factions still in Algeria. Similarly, the group suffered a significant loss in January with the elimination of their propaganda chief in Jijel province. In addition to those notable losses, reporting indicated police arrested 56 terrorists nationwide, and a record number (129) of militants laid