Tunisians condemn return of terrorism to Algeria
2007-12-12
Following Tuesday's bloody attacks in neighbouring Algeria, Tunisians hope the violence will not spread to their country.
By Jamel Arfaoui for Magharebia in Tunis – 12/12/07
 [Getty Images] Tuesday's attack on the offices of the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) in Algiers added an international dimension to the carnage. Tunisians hope the violence will not cross the border into their country. |
Tunisians have united in condemning the fatal terrorist operations that took place Tuesday morning (December 11th) in the Algerian capital, describing the acts as "barbaric".
In a statement to Magharebia, Samir Abdallah, member of the Chamber of Councillors said, "One cannot but condemn this cowardly act. I think all Tunisian elites will join me in condemning it because it has nothing to do with humanity; and has nothing to do with the most sublime religious values that all divine religions preach; which are the values of tolerance and solidarity."
He added, "Today, we have to stand by our Algerian brothers in order to form a unified front against the remnants of extremism and terrorism."
Bouchra Belhaj Hamida, lawyer and executive of the Democratic Women's Association of Tunisia, said she was greatly shocked when she heard the news. "This is a horrible, brutal act, and I hold the national reconciliation project – which has proven its failure today – responsible," she said. Hamida asked, "How can a person reconcile with someone who doesn't agree on anything with him? How can it be done with those extremists and terrorists, who are one hundred percent criminals and killers?"
Many Tunisians gathered around televisions in coffee shops to follow up on the events. Pensioner Bechir Mrabet said, "I felt really shocked. We thought that stability has started to prevail in Algerian life, but, unfortunately, as you can see, the battle has been taken from the mountains to cities and in methods that are similar to al-Qaeda's methods. They are killing innocent people in the name of religion."
A young man named Ali continued, saying: "I think the violence will not stop anytime soon. There are several local problems feeding it, such as unemployment and need.
This is a decidedly 'Maghreb' case."
Abdel Majid Sahraoui, assistant Secretary-General of the Arab Maghreb Unions Association, also condemned the attacks, and called on union members to combine their efforts to confront the "plague of terrorism and extremism that uses religion as a cover".
Sahraoui called on all people of the Maghreb to transcend their differences. "Any hesitation can send a wrong message from which extremists may assume the Maghreb ranks can be divided and the differences manipulated... to spread their destructive ideology," he said.
News of the terrorist operations made headlines at all levels of Tunisian media. Tunisian television reported a letter of condolences sent by President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in the name of the people and the government of Tunisia.
Najet Mraihi was shocked by the news. She said, "I can't move anymore! Who can guarantee we will not see a similar scene in our country? God forbid." Mraihi said terrorists "are like bats plotting their conspiracies in the dark and targeting unarmed innocent people."
She added, "They tried the same thing with us last year at the same time, but they were discovered. I hope they will be all exposed wherever they are."
Last December, the city of Solimane witnessed an armed confrontation between extremists and the Tunisian army that left 12 terrorists dead. Most had come from Algeria for the purpose of carrying out terrorist operations against several Tunisian sites, including the embassies of Great Britain and the United States.
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taha Posted 2007-12-25
Hi I'm Taha from Morocco. I'm 25, I work n a company. What I like honestly about this site, is it possible to talk with ttal freedom or will I be accountable for what I will say, then it's better to keep quiet.
نور Posted 2008-01-03
The article was really great and it attracted all my admiration.
AMEUR301 Posted 2008-01-11
The honest religion disowns these who destroy in the world. Killing innocents (in the name of Al Qaeda or other) serves the enemies of God. Are attacks only in the countries of Islam? September 11th is a Zionist fabrication (to terrorize people from Islam and justify attacks) God is Almighty.
hadi meghoufi Posted 2008-02-09
Hi, This is really interesting, but I do not think that only Algeria is a victim of terrorism. Be a little more frank and tell us everything about the other countries too. Thank you
حورية الجزائر Posted 2008-02-10
As an Algerian woman, I’m sorry for the outcome of Algeria of pride and dignity. We’re a nation who loves life and living in conditions much better than now. Thank you for this kind attention.
hayet Posted 2008-02-17
May God defend and protect us from these assassins! Aaamiin!
seif Posted 2008-02-26
Long live Algeria despite the cowardly terrorists.
amin Posted 2008-02-28
Hello, no no to terrorism, but to the Algerian people, long live Algeria. I hope that this letter will reach president Abdelaziz Bouteflika to find us a job we who are sitting in the Algerian streets. Long live Algeria in stability. Allah Akbar Mohamed Rassoul Allah (God is the greatest, Mohamed is the messenger of God).
امين Posted 2008-03-07
By God, I am astonished at you Moroccans. As if you are spiting us, as if you don’t have poverty and terrorism. Be careful of the duty of God and take care of your duty to God and take care of your interests. I say this not out of the blue, but it is an observation based on your media orientation. You want Algeria to remain like this. But rescue is coming, God willing. By the way, I know that you aren’t going to post my message. May God guide you.
سامي Posted 2008-03-22
Long live Algeria.
zztop Posted 2008-06-14
Algeria is a very beautiful country. The people are courageous protesters who won their rights by force and without any charity or alms. This is not a people who applauded and then went to the café afterwards and, between friends, taking note of everything and laying claim to it— “Hey, is that a cookie on the neighbours' table?” In my heart and soul I am with my brothers and sisters.
اسلام محمد Posted 2008-07-28
They are jealous of Algeria.
Anonymous Posted 2009-02-23
Praise be to God as death, judgment, heaven and hell exist. As you behave you will be treated.
سليم Posted 2009-03-22
Is this all you found… just Algeria? Algeria is the best, biggest and most peaceful countries far from the Middle East, agents of America, Tunisia the country of naked women, Morocco the country of Harragas, brothers of Jews, Egypt Egysrael, except a few states in the Middle East such as Qatar and Jordan, which even if some serious political issues were uncovered about them, you are just talking about a country you’re jealous of because it is better than you. This is all.
سامي Posted 2009-03-28
I don't know the base and mean method used by some people in attacking Tunisia and Morocco as if Algeria is the country of sanctity and purity. Just take your memory back and you will see that the bounties of Tunisia and Morocco on Algeria are abundant. There is no humiliation or undermining of Algeria in this. I am not here insulting the Algerian brothers because I know them very well. I have some friends of them. But I will reply to brother Selim to tell him that the method you follow is the method of losers morally and intellectually. The scientific debate is not based on insults and offending. Unfortunately, have to stop here. I also hope that the brothers who administer this site don't authorize anyone to spread his filth. I think it is a respectable site which tackles very important issues and subjects, therefore, we have the right to claim the minimum level of debate which respects the rules of discussion.
amel Posted 2009-04-06
Frankly, it never entered my mind that Tunisia would condemn the return of terrorism in Algeria given that the Tunisians mocked us. Did they forget about how the Algerians were treated the time they went to Tunisia to get visas? They were bullied and treated like terrorists and cutthroats. Even in the Tunisia’s foreign media, they treat Algerians like murderers and assassins, forgetting that Tunisians were involved in everything that happened in Algeria. Every time, Tunisian citizens were among the assassins. I would like to ask why they were sent to Algerian land. Why? Tell me why! There is no need to look more than a few steps away for the answer: the Tunisian government want to preserve its country’s stability on Algeria’s account. So, the Algerians do not need these people to mourn for it only to dupe the Algerians for the umpteenth time. Our neighbouring countries are conspiring to destroy and destabilise this country, which scares them so. But, we hope that the Algerians will boycott Tunisia. Tunisians have never loved Algerians. Be the med you were in Boumédienne’s time! Be proud!
سامي Posted 2009-04-12
In 1980, when a commandos entered the city of Gafsa to throw out the regime of Bourguiba, this was in conspiracy with the Algerian authorities which facilitated the entry of these mercenaries to the country. In 2006, some Tunisians tried to destabilize the country. It was found out that the place where they trained was Algeria. They bought arms from Algeria; they came from Algeria. They were trained by Algerians. Terrorism which they wanted to introduce to Tunisia was an Algerian act. So by God, stop these random and worthless accusations which are no longer believed by anyone. We knew that the blame for the failure of Algerians in achieving real, just and sustainable development is always attributed to Morocco or Tunisia and sometimes to both of them. You should stop in a moment of review and honesty with yourselves instead of complaining and addressing accusations which haven't and won't serve Algeria in any way. Neither Tunisians nor Moroccans have a role in the events in Algeria. Moreover, Algeria doesn't frighten any of its neighbours. Stability of Tunisia is derived from the stability of Algeria and stability of Libya but not the opposite. Anyway, I never heard or saw that Tunisia tried to destabilize Algeria. The stability of Algeria is part of the stability of Tunisia. This is the same with Libya. The political regime in Tunisia understands well the effects of instability. Algerians should praise God that they have three stable neighbouring countries.
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