Security forces deployed exceptional measures to secure southern oil fields

36 policemen and 2 protesters were injured during the clashes that broke out between angry crowds and security forces in the southern province of Ouargla, right after Friday prayer, forcing the riot police to use tear gas to disperse them.

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• Skirmishes lasted till late at night causing several injuries among the security forces who counted 26 elements at the beginning of the troubles and 10 others afterwards. They were all transferred to the nearest health institution to receive treatments.
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• The protests expanded to the neighboring compounds like the Boughalfa, AL Mekhadema Al Hedb and the 460 housing units compound where several official buildings were burnt and looted.
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• The protesters have burnt to ashes 18 cars and stolen computers and other equipment connected to banks and other financial institutions.They have also stolen key telecommunications equipment and torn down the Algerian Telecommunication unit.
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• Security sources have revealed to Echourok that a number of protesters were arrested while trying to set ablaze some petrol stations and official buildings. They will be presented to the judge after completing the first investigations.
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• Another security source has, in this respect, revealed that stringent measures were deployed to secure oil fields in the region of Hassi Messaoud to fend off further escalations, though the situation was not as alarming.
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• Precarious calm seems to prevail in most of the areas that witnessed large protests the day before yesterday.