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Renewed ethnic clashes in Algeria

April 12, 2014 at 3:01 pm

Clashes between Amazigh (Berbers) and Arab residents of Al-Shoba and Haj-Masood neighbourhoods in the Algerian province of Ghardaia renewed on Sunday, tens of deaths and injuries were reported.


Coordinator and monitor of incidents in the province, Khader Babaz, confirmed news reports on the large number of causalities, including deaths and injuries. He said five houses were torched and a number of cars and buses had rocks thrown at them.

A cautious calm is prevailing in all other Ghardaia neighbourhoods, but residents fear clashes, violence and looting.

Gharadaia is populated by a majority of Amazigh who speak their own language. The area has witnessed clashes between the Amazigh and Arab populations since 2008.

In December 2013, the area witnessed violent clashes that pushed a number of families out of the province. Despite the heavy security existence, traders were forced to evacuate their shops fearing they would be burnt or looted.