Algerians battle deadly wildfires as Tebboune seeks death penalty for arson

Algerian firefighters are battling an unprecedented wave of deadly wildfires, prompting President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to call for the reinstatement of the death penalty for arsonists. The fires have spread across several provinces, causing extensive damage to forests and villages. In Jijel, a province known for its beaches and olive trees, 1,200 square kilometers of forests were burned, leaving only ashes and charred tree stumps.

The official death toll stands at 12, but the actual number is likely higher, with coffins lined up beside mass graves awaiting burial. President Tebboune visited specialized hospitals in Algiers to treat severely burned victims and declared three days of mourning. He also convened a special Council of Ministers meeting to declare Jijel a disaster area and allocate resources to deal with the crisis.

The president announced compensation for affected families and pledged to rebuild their homes. However, some parties have criticized Tebboune's decision to reintroduce the death penalty, calling it a retreat into barbarism.