16 Tunisian refugees arrive by boat in Algeria

Sixteen Tunisian fishing vessels carrying Tunisian refugees have arrived in Algeria.

The Algerian naval forces intercepted the boats and transferred the fishermen to the Coast Guard units for investigation, where they were asked to return to the Tunisian coast.

The refugees were reported to have fled their home country seeking asylum and jobs in Algiers’ eastern port of Annaba, in protest to what they describe as “difficult and miserable social conditions” at home which have been exacerbated recently due to the rise in consumer goods prices, especially after the government’s recent decision to increase fuel prices.

This is not the first time Tunisian refugees have arrived in Algeria. In recent months several residents along Tunisia’s eastern border with Algeria attempted to enter the country escaping hunger and poverty and hoping to acquire Algerian nationality.

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