Algeria Accuses Separatist Groups Backed by Morocco and Israel of Deadly Wildfires

"After the presentation by the security services of the assessment of human losses and material damage caused by the fires in certain wilayas, particularly Tizi-Ouzou and Bejaïa, the President gave instructions to all sectors to follow up on the assessment of the damage and the care of the people affected by the fires, whose involvement of the two terrorist organizations MAK and Rachad in their outbreak, as well as in the assassination of the late Djamel Bensmaïl, is proven," says a statement from the Presidency of the Republic.

More than 60 people have been arrested following the murder of Djamel Bensmail, suspected of being an arsonist. "In addition to the care of the victims, the High Security Council has decided that the security services will redouble their efforts to arrest the other persons involved in these two crimes, and all those who belong to these two terrorist organizations that threaten public security and national unity, until their total eradication, particularly the MAK," the same source continues. The HCS affirms that the latter receives "support and assistance from foreign parties, particularly Morocco and the Zionist entity."

"The bellicose acts of Morocco towards Algeria require a reconsideration of relations between the two countries and the strengthening of surveillance at the West borders of the country," the statement adds.