Algeria : Gendarmerie sends reinforcements to quell rising inter – community violence in Berriane

Latest reports from the southern city of Berriane speak of a renewed outbreak of inter – community violence between rival local residents causing one dead and at least 23 wounded.

The victim is a 62 – year old man who was reportedly stabbed to death with a knife in the street clashes which have engulfed the city of Berriane , in Ghardaia province, for the second day running.

A total of 23 other people were injured, some of them seriously.

The intercommunity unrest involving rival Ibadite residents of the embattled city also caused widespread material damage.

Eye – witness accounts told Echorouk newspaper that about 40 shops and businesses in addition to some public buildings had been damaged in the street rioting.

Several cars and lorries were also set ablaze by the rioters who went on a rampage across the once-quiet southern city.

The national gendarmerie has sent an additional 1,000 gendarmes to the troubled area in a bid to stem the unabated violence and restore law and order.