Algeria’s covert crackdown in France deepens diplomatic rift

A series of covert operations allegedly orchestrated by Algeria on French soil has heightened diplomatic tensions between the two nations, with implications that stretch far beyond espionage. According to an explosive report by Le Journal du Dimanche (Lejdd), the Algerian regime under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is accused of carrying out clandestine campaigns targeting political dissidents and members of the Algerian diaspora in France.

The report outlines a coordinated effort by Algerian intelligence to suppress dissent overseas. Citing anonymous sources within the French security services, Lejdd confirms that these operations were not rogue acts. “We possess concrete knowledge; Algerian services did not act independently,” a senior French official stated.

Among the most troubling incidents is the alleged physical assault on journalist Abdou Semmar in the Paris region. The attacker, reportedly linked to Algerian operatives, fled to Algeria after the assault. Semmar’s case is not isolated. Prominent YouTuber Amir DZ and other dissidents have also faced threats and intimidation, pointing to a larger strategy aimed at neutralizing opposition voices abroad.

French authorities have linked these incidents to personnel from the Algerian embassy in Paris. In a rare and serious diplomatic move, the French Foreign Ministry has requested the lifting of immunity for the embassy’s first secretary, believed to be central to the coordination of these covert actions. The request signals a deepening frustration within the French government over perceived violations of its sovereignty.

Lejdd's investigation further suggests a broader political calculus: by targeting critics abroad, the Algerian regime aims to maintain tight control over its diaspora and discourage public dissent. High-profile Algerian authors such as Boualem Sansal and Kamel Daoud—longtime critics of the regime—have faced relentless defamation and intimidation campaigns, despite residing in France. Their treatment reflects a consistent pattern of extraterritorial repression through disinformation and psychological pressure rather than open dialogue.

Diplomatic freeze deepens

These revelations come amid an already tense diplomatic standoff. In mid-April, Algeria abruptly expelled twelve French officials, prompting reciprocal expulsions by Paris. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the current diplomatic state as “completely frozen.” Despite symbolic gestures, such as commemorating the 1945 Sétif massacres with a French parliamentary visit to Algeria, the broader relationship remains stalled.

Barrot pointed to the personal consequences for affected diplomatic staff, calling the expulsions “brutal.” The ambassador to Algeria, Stéphane Romatet, remains in Paris with no timeline for his return. Barrot added that further retaliatory measures remain on the table, reinforcing that France’s response will be guided by strategic timing rather than public declarations.

President Emmanuel Macron has ordered extensive internal briefings to reassess bilateral relations. According to Lejdd, detailed notes from France’s North Africa-Middle East department and top diplomatic aides are guiding his next moves.

Morocco and the Sahara factor

Underlying the tensions is a broader geopolitical dispute, particularly over Morocco’s sovereignty in the Sahara. In July 2024, Macron formally backed Morocco’s autonomy plan, affirming in a letter to King Mohammed VI that the territory’s future lies under Moroccan control. This was reiterated during Macron’s state visit to Morocco in October, where he emphasized that France’s position aimed to support stability, not provoke regional adversaries.

Algeria, which supports the Polisario Front, reacted sharply. Analysts view Algeria’s recent actions, including its hostility toward France, as a form of retaliation for the diplomatic pivot toward Rabat. France’s endorsement of Moroccan sovereignty marks a significant shift that Algeria has not accepted quietly.

As the French government evaluates how to respond to Algerian provocations, the stakes continue to rise. The clash is no longer just a diplomatic dispute—it has become a test of state sovereignty, international law, and the limits of cross-border repression.