| Algerian Republican Guard | |
|---|---|
| الحرس الجمهوري الجزائري (Arabic) Garde républicaine algérienne (French) | |
_Logo.png){kind=logo} Insignia of the Republican Guard | |
| Founded | 1963 |
| Country |  Algeria |
| Branch | Algerian People's National Army |
| Type | Infantry Cavalry |
| Role | Honour Guard Security |
| Garrison/HQ | Algiers |
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TheAlgerian Republican Guard (Arabic:الحرس الجمهوري الجزائري,French:Garde républicaine algérienne), is amilitary corps of theAlgerian army. It is under the direct authority of thePresident of Algeria. The AlgerianRepublican Guard is composed of about 12,000 troops. It includes a horse mounted cavalry unit. The cavalry detachment finds its roots in the mix of traditions of both the famousBerber cavalry, especially theNumidian cavalry and the equally famousArab cavalry.
The Republican Guard was founded by a group of cavalry units which came from the city ofEl 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 from the leaving French army.Since then, the unit has provided honors to the President ofAlgeria. 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.[2]
The Republican Guard has several types of regiments ranging from parade regiments, protection, escort, and intervention.[3]
The regiments of the Republican Guard include the following:
Other units may include:
The Republican Cavalry's mission is to offer a stylish official display, mixing the Algerian nation'shistory,culture and traditions with a display of military discipline and professionalism. Their responsibilities include protecting the President and government buildings such asEl Mouradia Palace, as well as welcoming foreign guests, and participating in national events.
In 1963, the formation of the first nucleus of the cavalry at the horse breeding center at Sidi Mabrouk inConstantine. Its elements were moved to theEl Eulma Barracks with the number of riders at a time not exceeding 23. It was transferred that same year to the Lido barracks where the official formation of the cavalry unit was started. Seventy young people from villages were then recruited into joining the unit. The unit was originally called "National Horse Riding Establishment". In 1964, it first participated in the riding festival at Oued Himimine inConstantine. In 1965, the first military rider participated in a show jumping competition inItaly. In 1966, with the participation of the Algerian Equestrian Federation, a training session was organized for military and civilian riders under the supervision of foreign trainers. In the period from 1967 to 1968, training courses were given to Algerian trainers in the field of horse riding with the help of foreign experts and while acquiringhorses of a German breed. In 1970, four riders of the Gendarmerie Group of the Ministerial Reserve participated with the national team in the international competition in neighboringMorocco. Following the creation of the Republican Guard in 1972, the cavalry formations were reinforced with elements of the special troops from the city ofSkikda. From this date, the Cavalry formations participated in all cultural and sporting fields besides its main missions which consist of presenting honors on horseback or on foot. It has since been seen at championships, and national and international sports competitions, including competitions inRouen (France),Novi Sad (Yugoslavia) andRabat (Morocco),Damascus (Syria) andTripoli (Libya).[5]
The cavalry's ceremonialuniforms reflects thenational colours and traditions of Algeria. It consists ofgreen Algerian trousers known as "saroual",red tunics known as "kamisa" or "kamidja", and long white capes known as "burnous". These colors are those of theAlgerian flag.
The troopers are also equipped with a traditional white headdress bearing thecoat of arms of the Algerian Republican Cavalry, and asword. The mounted horses of the Republican Cavalry are all pure blood white-coloredbarbs, equipped with a harness bearing the Cavalry's coat of arms, as well as a triple ponpon (white-red-green) on their heads.
The Guard Infantry soldiers wear a red-green full dress uniform with white peaked caps.
The main competition building of the guard is the Republican Guard sports complex at LidoAlgiers. The sports regrouping center at Eucalyptus Algiers has been active since 2009. The development project is underway in accordance with the vision and the expected objectives of the High Command of the National People's Army.
The Cavalry possesses aband, which plays thenational anthem, "Qassaman", and other national songs on official occasions such as an official visit by a foreignhead of state, or during international events where military musical units gather. The musical units play many instruments including the traditionalbagpipe.
