Republican Guard (Algeria)

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton inspecting the Republican Guard in Algiers, 2012.

The Algerian Republican Guard (Arabic:الحرس الجمهوري الجزائري; French:Garde républicaine algérienne), is a military corps of the Algerian army.The Algerian Republican Guard is composed of about 6,000 troops. It includes a horse mounted cavalry unit. The cavalry detachment finds its roots in the mix of traditions of both the famous Berber cavalry, especially the Numidian cavalry and the equally famous Arab cavalry.

History

The Republican Guard was founded by a group of cavalry units which came from the city of El Eulma located in Setif and which, in 1963, settled in the Colonel Chabou barracks known also as Lido Mouhamadia, in the east of Algiers. This group took over the leaving French army. Since then, the unit has provided honors to the President of Algeria. It then took four years, between 1969 and 1972 to set up the Algerian Republican Guard.[1] Since October 3, 2006, the Republican Guard has been an autonomous military force, with its own command. It is under the direct authority of the President of Algeria.[2]

Purpose

The Republican Cavalry's mission is to offer a stylish official display, mixing the Algerian nation's history, culture and traditions with a display of military discipline and professionalism.

Their responsibilities include protecting the President and governmental buildings, as well as welcomeing foreign guests, and participaing in national events.

Uniform and equipment

Left:A picture of a dismounted trooper.
Right:A mounted cavalry trooper.

The cavalry's ceremonial uniforms reflects the national colours and traditions of Algeria. It consists of green Algerian trousers known as "saroual", red tunics known as "kamisa" or "kamidja", and long white capes known as "burnous". These colours are those of the Algerian flag).

The troopers are also equipped with a traditional white headdress bearing the coat of arms of the Algerian Republican Cavalry, and a sword. The mounted horses of the Republican Cavalry are all pure blood white-coloured barbs, equipped with a harness bearing the Cavalry's coat of arms, as well as a triple ponpon (white-red-green) on their heads.

Musical unit

The Cavalry possesses a band, which plays the national anthem, Qassaman, and other national songs on official occasions such as an official visit by a foreign head of state, or during international events where military musical units gather. The musical units play many instruments including the traditional bagpipe.

References

  1. ↑ https://raseef22.com/en/life/2013/10/05/arab-national-guards/
  2. ↑ http://www.mdn.dz/site_cgr/index.php?L=an#


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