Skikda.. A forbidden paradise destroyed by the demons of terrorism in Algeria

Aya Ezz

Recently, Algerian army special forces managed to dismantle four improvised bombs in the northern Algerian state of Skikda, which the terrorists planned to blow up, according to a statement issued by the Algerian Ministry of Defense. This time, the state was not subjected to a terrorist attack, they have always been vulnerable to such attacks, especially that a large number of elements of the “Al Qaeda”, find in the mountains of that state safe haven for them.

In its report on the state, the Algerian newspaper Al-Shorouq described Skikda as a “forbidden paradise” because it has the best beaches in the world, but most of them have been closed for more than 15 years because of the constant terrorist attacks on the state. The state subsequently became a “ghost town”, and the terrorist organizations completely distorted the state’s beauty, in addition to robbing, looting and destroying the state’s infrastructure.

From 2013 until now, unknown assailants, known as the “sand mafia”, known for their loyalty to terrorist organizations in the state, according to the newspaper, and the reports of the Algerian Ministry of Defense. Robbing the state sands of sand; to prevent any development or reconstruction that may occur on those beaches, So that tourists can not enter it.

The sand mafia deliberately selects the rugged mountainous terrain of the state, which makes it easier for them to reach the beaches in an easy way. The robbery begins with trucks, sand is transported and sold to glass workshop owners. Those beaches, prevent tourism traffic, and make financial profit.

The terrorist elements, specifically affiliated with al-Qaeda, deliberately launched repeated attacks on electricity and water stations, causing constant water and electricity cuts, according to the report of the Algerian newspaper itself, and the Algerian radio reports on this matter two years ago.

Chalets on the shores of the “Skikda” different also did not get rescue from terrorism. It became a ghost abandoned areas; because of theft and looting. Shops in the «Skikda» took the lion share of theft by force of arms, and this makes traders sell their goods at very high prices to make up the loses resulting from theft; which causes a state of stagnation.

In the mountains of the Tamalos region of Skikda, there are Ghabta, Agabala, and Ain Qashra, which are considered the main stronghold of al-Qaeda, according to a report by the Algerian daily An-Nahar. The Jijel Mountains in the state are considered safe haven for other terrorist groups other than al-Qaeda. They move almost daily in various mountainous routes, especially as the Algerian government has withdrawn municipal guard forces from that area.