Category: Algeria

Global NGOs Reject Authoritarian Regimes’ Bids for UN Human Rights Posts

Non-governmental groups have called on United Nations member states to oppose the admission of Afghanistan, Algeria, Sudan, Venezuela, and Vietnam to the Human Rights Council (UNHRC), citing “problematic” human rights records. The U.N. General Assembly will hold elections for 14 new council members on Tuesday. A joint NGO report [pdf] released on Oct. 3 drew…


Wildfires in Algeria Kill at Least 37, Including Family of 5

ALGIERS, Algeria—Wildfires raging in the forests of eastern Algeria have killed at least 37 people and wounded 161 others, the civil protection department of the North African country said Thursday. Most of the victims were reported in the wilaya, or region, of El Tarf, near the northern Algeria-Tunisian border, where 34 people were found dead….


Algeria Closes Airspace to French Military, French Army Says, as Row Grows

PARIS/ALGIERS—Algeria has closed its airspace to French military planes, France’s military said on Sunday, escalating the biggest row between the countries in years. A spokesperson for the French Armed Forces said Algeria had closed its airspace to two flights, but that it would have “no major consequences” for operations in the Sahel region, south of…


Algeria Detains 36 in Mob Killing of Man Amid Wildfires

ALGIERS, Algeria—Authorities have detained 36 people in the brutal mob killing and burning of a man in a town in Algeria’s Kabyle region that the crowd suspected of starting dozens of wildfires but who had actually come to help, the head of the judicial police said Sunday. The fires that began last Monday tore through…


Death Toll up to 65 in Algeria Wildfires; Nation to Mourn

ALGIERS, Algeria—The death toll in fires ravaging mountain forests and villages in Algeria’s Berber region climbed Wednesday to 65 people, including 28 soldiers, as the president declared a three-day mourning period this week to honor the lives lost. The Civil Protection authority announced the rising number of victims, up from 42 on Tuesday, including 25…


Death Toll From Algeria Forest Fires Rises to 42

ALGIERS—Forty-two people, including 25 military men, have died in wildfires that erupted east of the Algerian capital, Algiers, Prime Minister Ayman Benabderrahmane said on Tuesday. Benabderrahmane also told state television the government had asked for help from the international community and was in talks with partners to hire planes to extinguish fires. By Hamid Ould…


Arson Suspected as Wildfires Rage Across Algeria, 7 People Killed

Dozens of wildfires have spread in Algeria and killed at least seven people while injuring two others, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. A government official in the North African country said arson is suspected for the blazes and an investigation will be launched to identify those behind it. “Only criminal hands can be behind the simultaneous…


Arson Suspected as Wildfires Rage Across Algeria, 24 People Dead

Dozens of wildfires have spread in Algeria and killed at least 24 people, including 18 military men, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. A government official in the North African country said arson is suspected for the blazes and an investigation will be launched to identify those behind it. “Only criminal hands can be behind the simultaneous…