President Al-Assad offers condolences to his Algerian counterpart over victims of wildfires
DAMASCUS, (ST)_President Bashar Al-Assad sent on Thursday a cable of condolences and sympathy to his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune and the Algerian people over the victims of wildfires that have torn through several areas in Algeria over the past days.
The president said in the cable:” We feel pain over the disastrous incident that affected brotherly Algeria due to the wildfires in the state of Tizi Ouzou and claimed the lives of many victims of civilians and soldiers.. We in the Syrian Arab Republic share you the feelings of sorrow and pain.”
He added “We extend to you and to the brotherly Algerian people and families of the victims the heartfelt condolences, asking God to have mercy upon the souls of the victims and protrct your country, and wishing quick recovery for the injured,”
The Algerian government has deployed the army to help fight the fires, which have burnt most fiercely in the mountainous Kabylie region.
The fires killed at least 65 people including 28 soldiers, with another 12 critically injured with burns.
The Algerian government has said arsonists are responsible for dozens of forest fires that have killed people and destroyed many homes.
Basma Qaddour