Ninjas (Algeria)
Basic Group Information
| Name assigned by coder: |
no
|
| PGM ID Number: |
62
|
| Country: |
Algeria |
| Date formed: |
May 12, 1993 |
| Accuracy of date formed: |
year
|
| Details of Formation: |
|
| Date dissolved: |
Unknown |
| Accuracy of date dissolved: |
day
|
| Details of Termination: |
|
| Termination Type(s): |
not terminated
|
Former and Successor Group Information
| Predecessor group(s): |
none
|
| Successor group(s): |
none
|
| Private Military Company? |
no |
| Former Group? |
no information |
| Former Armed Group? |
no information |
| Former Rebel Group? |
no information |
| Former Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
| PGM Becomes Rebel Group? |
no information |
| Successor Rebel Group UCDP ID: |
none |
Government Relation, Support, and Training
| Government Relation: |
informal (type 1) |
| Created by the Government?: |
no information |
Main Creating Government Institution: |
none
|
| Government Link(s): |
military (institution)
|
| If link to party, name of party: |
|
| Training and Equipment: |
yes |
| Shared Information and Joint Operations: |
yes |
| Shared Personnel: |
yes |
| Type(s) of Material Support: |
domestic government
|
| State Sponsor(s): |
none
|
| Other Connection(s): |
|
Group Characteristics
Ethnic Characteristics
| Ethnic Target(s): |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Targeting: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Membership: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Membership: |
not applicable
|
| Ethnic Purpose: |
none
|
| Quality of Information for Ethnic Purpose: |
not applicable
|
Other Information
| Other Information: |
The Ninjas are a special anti-Islamist paramilitary police unit. The primary targets are Islamic fundamentalists, but the group also targets civilians whom they suspect of having relations with the Islamists. Especially at the beginning referred to as “government death squads”. |
New Variables from Meta-Analysis
Purpose
| Purpose: |
The Ninjas were used to intimidate and fight opposition and Islamist fundamentalists. They were successful in spreading fear among the population. The government was able to use Ninjas to order killings and massacres while denying responsibility and blaming the Islamists. |
| Relative Benefit(s) of PGM Use |
deniability of violence
|
Treatment of Civilians
| Treatment of Civilians: |
The PGM was involved (sometimes alongside government forces) in massacres against civilians. It targeted and killed men based on suspicion that they might belong to Islamists. They were encouraged by the government to do so. |
| Type(s) of Violence against Civilians: |
killing; torture
|
Reasons for Membership
| PGM Members Coerced? |
no information |
| PGM Members Paid? |
no information |
| Reasons for Membership: |
Members are said to have nothing to lose as they are social outcasts, wanting to take revenge on society. These include former soldiers and orphans without family. |
| PGM Members Killed? |
no information |
PGM Size
Weapons and Training
Organisation
Reference(s) for Meta-Analysis
Information was taken from news sources listed in the PGMD.
Evidence
