Regional commanders were originally all colonels, and Said Abid probably served in this rank from 1964 when he took over the region. He appeared to be holding command during the 1965 Algerian coup d'état. Said Bey was chosen by Lt. Gen Mohamed Lamari to be the commander of the 1st Military Region in 1994, but Boughaba Rabah replaced him in 1997 after multiple massacres occurred in Blida. The commander of the 1st Military Region (Mohamed Djenouhat) (as well as the commander of the 5th Military Region) were both promoted to major general in 1992. After a major reshuffle of positions in the guards, Brahim Fodhil Chérif was appointed in 2000 as head of the military region, replacing Major General Boughaba Rabah. Fodhil Cherif's commanded the "Special Forces" (ninjas) to go against the Islamic rebellion.