Republican Guard (Algeria)

In 1963, the formation of the first nucleus of the cavalry at the horse breeding center at Sidi Mabrouk in Constantine. Its elements were moved to the El 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 in Constantine. In 1965, the first military rider participated in a show jumping competition in Italy. 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 acquiring horses 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 neighboring Morocco. Following the creation of the Republican Guard in 1972, the cavalry formations were reinforced with elements of the special troops from the city of Skikda. 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 in Rouen (France), Novi Sad (Yugoslavia) and Rabat (Morocco), Damascus (Syria) and Tripoli (Libya).[5]

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 colors 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-colored barbs, 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 Lido Algiers. 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.