A large-scale eviction operation was carried out in Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria, after nearly 5,000 homes were squatted in various localities within the wilaya. The operation, led by local authorities and law enforcement, aimed to remove the illegal occupants and restore order. The evictions began on the second day of the operation and continued into the night, with some areas experiencing tense confrontations between authorities and resisting occupants.
The squatting of homes occurred suddenly and unexpectedly, catching citizens and authorities off guard. The events took place as citizens were preparing to mark the seventh consecutive Friday of protests calling for the departure of the current system. In response, local authorities, led by Wali Abdelhakim Chater, instructed law enforcement to intervene and evict the unauthorized occupants.
The eviction operations involved the use of tear gas to disperse crowds of approximately 1,000 people. Citizens, present in large numbers to support the authorities, contributed significantly to the operation. Several community leaders mediated to convince occupants to leave the premises, ultimately leading to their expulsion and the arrest of dozens of individuals involved in the clashes.
The affected areas included several communes, such as Draâ Bren Khedda, where operations were particularly challenging. In other areas, like Boghni and Tadmaït, the issues were resolved on the first day of the operation. According to the president of the Tizi-Ouzou APC, Ouahab Aït Menguellet, the sudden and widespread nature of the squatting suggests a coordinated effort to disrupt the community.
Aït Menguellet emphasized that the allocation of homes would be based on genuine need, rather than being used as a means of coercion or manipulation. He stated that he would not be swayed by such tactics and would instead prioritize the allocation of homes to those who truly require them. The president of the APC also denounced the squatters for damaging properties and harming citizens.
Further squatting was reported in the commune of Tamda, where 1,000 homes were occupied during the night. The president of the Tamda APC, Hadji Mokrane, expressed concern that the squatters were not from the local community and that their origins and motivations were unknown. The eviction operations continued for a second consecutive day in the region.
The OPGI has announced plans to distribute over 10,000 homes across the 67 communes of the wilaya in the near future. The recent events have highlighted the need for effective measures to address housing issues and prevent similar incidents from occurring. The authorities have vowed to apply the law against those responsible for the squatting and vandalism.
Key points
- Over 4,000 homes were squatted in Tizi-Ouzou, prompting a large-scale eviction operation by Algerian authorities.
- The evictions were carried out in several communes, with some areas experiencing tense confrontations between authorities and occupants.
- The authorities have announced plans to distribute over 10,000 homes across the region in the near future.
