Special Intervention Group

The Special Intervention Group (French: Groupe d'Intervention Spécial, GIS) is a special forces group created in Algeria[1][2] in 1987,[3] initially with 400 members.

Special Intervention Group
Official GIS insigna
Active1987–2016
Country Algeria
BranchDépartement du Renseignement et de la Sécurité
TypeSpecial Operations
RoleCounter-terrorism and Hostage Rescue
Size~400 operators
Garrison/HQAlgiers, Algeria
Nickname(s)Ninjas
Colors  Black
Mascot(s)Black Panther
Engagements

History

Since 1992, GIS forces have operated within the context of violent confrontation between the Algerian government and Islamic militants; major human rights violations against civilians have been alleged against both sides. A resulting arms embargo against Algeria initially prevented the GIS from obtaining equipment such as night-vision goggles typical for such units. However, after the September 11, 2001 attacks, western matériel vendors were allowed to sell equipment to Algeria in the name of the international War on Terrorism.

Responsibility and training

A sub-unit of the Département du Renseignement et de la Sécurité (DRS), it is responsible for counter-terrorism.[1] It is based in Algiers and has a base at Blida, 50 km (31 miles) from Algiers.[1] The Grouping of special intervention (GIS) made several elaborate training courses in various domains (assault, sniping, aircraft, bomb squad) to the Officers' training school of the special troops ( EATS) in Algeria, without forgetting the training in the highly rated of the groups Alpha of Russia. The men of the GIS are trained in the Japanese martial arts Ju-Jitsu and the Korean martial arts Kuk Sool Won, but in a purely military aspect.

Firearms
Assault rifle
Machine guns
SMG
Sniper rifle
Shotguns
Pistols

References
  1. Special Forces (Government) (Algeria). Jane’s Amphibious and Special Forces. 2 July 2012. Archived from the original on 16 February 2013. Retrieved 24 January 2013.
  2. "Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale - GIGN".
  3. "Algeria hostage crisis: Scot who escaped bloodbath tells of his relief to be free and his fears for those left behind". 19 January 2013.
  4. Vivenot, Emmanuel (March 2013). "Prise d'otages massive au Sahara". RAIDS (in French). No. 322. Histoire & Collections. p. 59. ISSN 0769-4814.
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