The Algerian Ministry of Defense announced a new secretary-general amid extensive media reports of a major reshuffle targeting the country’s military establishment. Although no official announcement was made, several media sources also confirmed that Algeria’s presidency allowed the recently dismissed police chief General Abdelghani Hamel to travel to Europe for treatment. Hamel’s dismissal was linked to the seizure of 701 kg of cocaine at the western port of Oran at the end of May, and the handling of the subsequent investigation. Hamel has been in a Belgian hospital for the last two days and was transferred there after his condition deteriorated. A political source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the former director general of national security (2010-2018) suffers from shortness of breath. He had been treated at an Algeria military hospital before being transferred to Brussels. The travel ban issued linked to the cocaine scandal investigations covers five other high ranking generals that were dismissed over the course of the last two months. Dismissals were proposed by former army chief of staff Ahmed Gaid Salah, who is close to the sitting President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. Salah is believed to be behind Bouteflika also sacking Defense Ministry Secretary-General Mohamed Zanakhri and appointing General Hamid Ghraise in his place. Salah said that the reason driving recent intensive and unprecedented measures among military ranks is to give everyone qualified a chance to serve. Air Force Commander Major-General Abdul Qader al-Wannas was also dismissed and replaced with Major-General Baumiza Mohamed.