Families flee homes because of riots in Ghardaia

Riots in the city of Ghardaia erupted once again on Wednesday as tens of people paralyzed commercial activities and traffic damaging cars and shops.

Security forces surrounded the city along with the scientific police amid intense deployment of order keeping forces from the provinces of Ouargula, Biskra, Laghouat and Djelfa.

Videos on social networks showed groups of masked men attacking security forces and police cars in a street in Ghardaia.  

Earlier on Tuesday, a total of 65 people and 25 policemen were wounded in clashes between residents in many popular areas. Five shops were burnt and a number of cars and private properties were damaged.

Air security forces arrived to the city on Wednesday to keep order after the recent riots. Firefighters and Sonalegaz’s employees intervened to prevent a catastrophe as unknown people tried to damage a gas pipeline.

Skirmishes took place in many popular areas as rioters used knives pushing some families to flee their homes although security forces intervened.

Notables in the city condemned the “non control” over the situation and held local authorities responsible for the events.