The removal of Mohamed Mediène, chief of the DRS intelligence service for more than two decades, sidelines a powerful figure in past behind-the-scenes political power struggles in Algeria. The statement said that Mediene would be taking his retirement, and that he would be replaced by Athmane Tartag.

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has replaced his powerful intelligence chief, a security source said on Sunday, in the latest move in a shake-up of the country’s security forces.

Known as “General Toufik”, Mediene was the last serving general from among a line of top officers behind a crackdown against the radical Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) after it swept to victory in elections in the early 1990s.

The Bouteflika government estimates 150,000 people were killed in the civil war, while independent sources believe the death toll could be as high as 200,000. Restructuring transferred some DRS duties to the army, leaving the agency to focus on its essential task of collecting intelligence for the armed forces. The much-feared DRS, akin to the secret services, is the most powerful element in Algeria’s intelligence apparatus.

Numerous changes to the DRS have been implemented by Army Chief of Staff Gaed Saleh, deputy defense minister and also a close ally of Bouteflika. “Mediene’s departure, I think, ends the DRS’ time as a political tool”.

After 16 years in power, Bouteflika “has the stage to himself”, said analyst Rachid Grim.

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika “today ended the functions” of Mediene, according to a statement from the president’s office.

Analysts say recent moves have tilted the balance in favour of the tight circle around Bouteflika and his army chief of staff, Ahmed Gaid Salah, at the expense of a rival faction centred on Mediene.

The DRS had already lost many of its powers over the last 18 months, including the right to carry out judicial probes into graft.