Algeria seizes smuggled weapons shipment near Libya border

Tucked away in the remote desert near the Algeria–Libya frontier, a covert operation by Algerian security forces has uncovered a suspicious weapons shipment, raising fresh questions about the shadowy networks operating across Libya’s border regions.

Algerian security forces have intercepted a shipment of weapons allegedly being smuggled across the country’s eastern border with Libya, halting what authorities believe was part of an organised trafficking operation, as reported by The Libya Observer via Afrique-Asie on March 7.

The seizure followed an intelligence-led monitoring effort targeting suspicious activity near the frontier west of the Libyan city of Ghat.

According to a report by Afrique-Asie, the operation uncovered a cache of weapons that included Kalashnikov rifles, other automatic firearms, ammunition and hand grenades. Some of the confiscated arms are suspected to be of Israeli origin, the publication reported.

A regional push to tackle cross-border smuggling has been underway for some time. On March 31 2025, Tunisia announced it was preparing a joint plan with Algeria and Libya aimed at developing border regions and eliminating parallel trade and smuggling, while also creating economic opportunities in frontier areas such as Ben Guerdane.

Officials launched the operation after intelligence services detected movements believed to be linked to organised criminal networks operating across the Algeria–Libya border. The monitoring effort focused on tracking suspected trafficking routes used by groups involved in moving weapons across North Africa.

Preliminary findings cited by Afrique-Asie indicate investigators are exploring possible links between the seized shipment and figures connected to the forces of Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar. Suspicion has also reportedly fallen on his son, Saddam Haftar, although no formal accusations have been announced.

Authorities are also examining the potential involvement of a Libyan national who reportedly holds Algerian citizenship and is currently living in the United Kingdom.

The report suggested the weapons may have first arrived in southern Libya by air. Sources indicated investigators believe the shipment could have been flown into Ghat airport from a Gulf country before traffickers attempted to move it across the Algerian border.

That Gulf country, although not confirmed, is likely to be the United Arab Emirates. The UAE has used eastern and southern regions of Libya as a key logistical route to move weapons into the region, supplying forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar while also funneling arms through territory under his control to the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan.

Investigations remain ongoing as security officials work to determine the full scope of the suspected trafficking network and identify those responsible for organising the operation.

The Libya Observer via Afrique-Asie, Maghrebi.org