The Algerian military on Friday continued its attack against retired officers, who had taken stances on the upcoming presidential elections. The military’s El Djeich (army) magazine published in its January edition Friday a strongly-worded address to the officers, who earlier this week had called on Chief of Staff Ahmed Gaid Salah to stand against President Abdulaziz Bouteflika running for a fifth term. The magazine’s editorial said: “The army’s accomplishments in 2018 did not seem to appeal to some sides who pushed suspicious parties to assume roles that are too big for them with total disregard to humanitarian values.” Observers interpreted the “accomplishments” as the military’s war on terrorism that left 32 extremists dead, said an army tally on Sunday. These sides have intervened in all affairs, continued the editorial, including the April elections. They allowed the youth to reach high-ranking positions in the army and called on the chief of staff to assume his democratic responsibilities. In addition, it accused these parties of undermining security affairs and becoming embroiled in issues that “they do not understand.” The magazine, which is compiled by Salah, did not name any of its targets in the editorial, but it was understood to be directed at retired officer Ali Ghediri, who had recently urged the chief of staff to stand against Bouteflika’s reelection. The editorial’s strong rhetoric implies that an influential party was behind the presidential debate. Observers suspected that former intelligence chief Mohammed Mediene, who was sacked in 2015, may be involved. He is known for playing an active role behind the scenes in Algerian politics. On Sunday, the army command warned retired officers against mixing military affairs with politics shortly after a number of retired officers issued stances related to Salah’s position on Bouteflika’s running for a fifth term. In a strongly worded statement, the Defense Ministry, without identifying the officers, accused them of “completely disregarding their duty” and becoming embroiled in politics. “They claim to have a message and play a role that they are not qualified to assume,” it stated. The statement also indirectly threatened to impose sanctions against Ghediri, including stripping him of his military rank, in accordance to regulations that prohibit the army from becoming involved in politics. Meanwhile on Friday, head of the Front El Moustakbal, Abdedlaziz Belaid, urged the military to steer clear of the political debate in the country. It must remain at an equal distance from all presidential candidates, he said. Belaid, who is seeking to run in the elections, has expressed his concerns over Salah’s support for Bouteflika should he choose to run for another term in office. He also defended the retired officers, saying they have the right to practice politics and explaining that once they retire, they become like any ordinary Algerian citizen. “Threatening the retired officers is not a reassuring sign over the military’s neutrality during the elections,” he noted.