Algeria blamed two groups it just labeled as terrorist organizations for catastrophic wildfires this month, saying one of them was backed by Morocco and Israel.
The president’s office stated police had arrested 22 people for starting the tragic fires, but that the Islamist Rashad group and MAK, an autonomy movement for the predominantly Amazigh-speaking Kabylie region, bore ultimate blame.
This year, Algeria designated both groups as terrorist organizations.
According to the presidency, MAK “receives backing and assistance from outside parties, mainly Morocco and the Zionist entity,” alluding to Israel.
Algeria and its most populous neighbor Morocco have had bad relations for decades, with Algiers backing the armed Polisario movement that seeks independence for Western Sahara, a territory Rabat sees as its own.
Algeria does not recognize Israel, referring to it in official statements only as of the Zionist entity. Israel said this month that it and Morocco would soon establish full diplomatic ties.
Forest fires have ripped across North Africa this month but have been fiercest in Algeria, causing damage and casualties in several provinces especially in Tizi Ouzou in the Kabylie region, east of the capital Algiers.
“Security services will continue efforts to arrest the rest of those involved … and all those belonging to the two terrorist organizations,” the presidency said after a meeting of the high-security council.
Last month Algeria recalled its ambassador to Rabat after a Moroccan diplomat in New York called for the Kabylie people to have a right to self-determination.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI in a July speech called for better ties with Algeria and the opening of their long-closed borders. Rabat offered to send help to combat the fires but Algeria made no public response.
*This article was written by Agencies for Uzalendo News. Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
