Algeria Battles Deadly Wildfires, President Seeks Death Penalty

Algeria is battling a devastating wave of wildfires across several provinces, with Jijel in the east suffering the greatest damage as forests, farmland, homes and livestock have been destroyed. Authorities have officially reported 12 deaths in Jijel, while local accounts and witnesses cited by the Associated Press suggest the toll could be substantially higher. Firefighters, civil protection units and army forces continue to battle flare-ups in areas including Sétif and Guelma. President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared three days of mourning, promised assistance for affected families and blamed both extreme climate conditions and possible arson. He called for the death penalty for those responsible and announced plans to lift Algeria’s longstanding moratorium on executions, a move criticized by human rights groups.