Guerrera:The “war” started on Facebook and burst into the streets after World Cup qualifier

Over 100 people will be brought on Tuesday before the General Prosecutor of the Ghardaia tribunal after being rounded up by security forces during unabated violent street clashes opposing members of two rival communities (Chaambis and Mozabites) in the town of Guerrera in southern Algeria.

The bloody clashes left according to local sources about 225 injured including seven seriously as well as widespread material damage.

At least 50 houses, 60 shops and 12 public administrative buildings were ransacked and badly damaged by the rioters who went on the rampage in several parts of this southern town in Ghardaia province which is still under a shock on account of the seriousness of the situation.

Sources told Echorouk that some ill-advised rival elements from the two communities used the social networking site “Facebook” to fuel vehement hatred among the population of the region after the publishing of some history books containing falsified and altered historical facts targeting local community members notably about their shadowy role during the national liberation struggle against the French colonial yoke.

The ensuing bitter strife brought the town to a standstill owing to the substantial material damage inflicted on public property and the local population is now suffering from an acute lack of staple commodities including bread and milk.

Many schools across the Guerrera municipality have also been closed on account of the volatile situation still besetting the region.