Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
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Algeria Condemns Moroccan Statement on Kabyle People's Right to Self-determination

Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)
Algerian woman carrying the national flag during protests (AFP)

Algeria strongly denounced the statement of the permanent Moroccan representative to the UN, in which he declared the support for the "Kabyle people's right to self-determination."

Morocco's Permanent Representative to the UN said the Kabyle people have the right to self-determination, describing them as "one of the oldest peoples in Africa, who are under the longest foreign occupation."

In response, the Foreign Ministry said it has the right to receive clarification of the final position of the Kingdom of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The ambassador added that "the Kabyle people deserve to enjoy their right to self-determination fully."

The Ministry announced that the Moroccan diplomatic representation in New York handed an official memorandum to all member states of the Non-Aligned Movement, the content of which is "officially devoted to demonstrating the Kingdom of Morocco's involvement in an anti-Algeria campaign."

It denounced the public and explicit support for the right of alleged self-determination of the Kabyle people who, according to the memorandum, "suffered the longest state of foreign occupation."

Earlier, during a virtual meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement in Azerbaijan, the Algerian Foreign Minister, Ramtane Lamamra, discussed the Sahara conflict.

The statement considered this memorandum to be a "recognition of the multifaceted Moroccan support currently provided to a well-known terrorist group," referring to the separatist Movement for the Self-Determination of Kabylia (MAK), which Algeria recently designated as a terrorist group, along with the Rachad Movement.

Algeria described the Moroccan diplomatic statement as: "Reckless, irresponsible and manipulative."

It stressed that it is "part of a short-sighted, reductive and futile attempt aimed at creating a shameful confusion between the issue of decolonization recognized as such by the international community and what is a mere conspiracy plotted against the unity of the Algerian nation."

The Moroccan statement directly contradicts the "principles and agreements that structure and inspire Algeria-Morocco relations, in addition to flagrantly contradicting international law and the constitutive law of the African Union," according to Algeria.

The Foreign Ministry's statement concluded by saying that in light of this situation arising from a dubious diplomatic act carried out by an ambassador, Algeria, which is a sovereign and indivisible republic, has the right to receive clarification of the final position of Morocco regarding this extremely dangerous incident.

The National Liberation Front issued a statement noting that the Moroccan memo "requires broad and urgent national action to deter any attempt to undermine Algeria's unity and territorial integrity."

It called on parties and associations to enhance national cohesion and support state institutions in these challenging circumstances.

For its part, the Democratic National Rally, a government member, denounced such a plan to undermine Algeria's stability, saying it officially involved Morocco in a campaign hostile to the nation.

The Islamic National Construction Movement described the Moroccan memo as "a declaration of war against every Algerian," calling for a quick and equal response from the state and its sovereign institutions.

The movement indicated that the situation requires immediate support and unity of all institutions and parties, putting all political differences aside.



Israel Renews Push to Advance on Lebanon’s Khiam from Three Fronts

Israeli soldiers carry the military coffin of one of their own killed in southern Lebanon battles (AFP)
Israeli soldiers carry the military coffin of one of their own killed in southern Lebanon battles (AFP)
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Israel Renews Push to Advance on Lebanon’s Khiam from Three Fronts

Israeli soldiers carry the military coffin of one of their own killed in southern Lebanon battles (AFP)
Israeli soldiers carry the military coffin of one of their own killed in southern Lebanon battles (AFP)

Israeli forces renewed their attempts to enter Lebanon’s Khiam, launching attacks from three directions: south, east, and northeast, late Tuesday.
The goal was to reach the city's strategic center, alongside efforts to extend control from Shmaa to the coastal road, which began last week but has yet to secure the high ground overlooking Tyre.
The military expanded its attacks to the northeastern edge of the city, near Ibl al-Saqi, in an attempt to encircle Khiam from all sides.
This followed earlier efforts to advance from the east, near Wazzani, and from the south, near the Metulla settlement. This is the first major attack since the previous one two weeks ago, which ended in failure and a retreat by Israeli forces.
Lebanese sources following the battle said the new Israeli assault is advancing from three directions, targeting six key points in an attempt to break through.
These include areas south of Khiam, such as the Sarda region and Wadi al-Asafir, as well as al-Hamamis Hill southeast of the city.
Two other points to the east are being targeted to reach the Khiam prison and city, with a new route added from the northeast, near Ibl al-Saqi, to flank the city from the east.
The sources also reported Israeli airstrikes targeting possible missile sites supporting the defenders, especially in areas near Khiam, such as the Litani River region and the valleys of Deirmimas and Zawtar.
Fierce close-range clashes broke out, with both sides using rifles, rockets, and grenades. The attacking forces were unable to reach the city center and instead repositioned at the outskirts, particularly east of Khiam.
Hezbollah’s Al-Manar TV reported that the Israeli military has stepped up its attacks on Khiam and the surrounding areas, carrying out more than 60 airstrikes and drone attacks, as well as over 130 artillery shells.
This follows the failure of an earlier assault 10 days ago. Hezbollah fighters clashed with Israeli forces near Wadi al-Khayam, south of the city, using rifles, rocket-propelled grenades, and targeting two Merkava tanks with guided missiles, destroying them and killing or injuring those inside.
The Israeli forces then partially withdrew from their positions for the second time.
Hezbollah also confirmed it had targeted Israeli military positions south of Khiam with missiles for the second time.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military released footage showing forces advancing at night in areas believed to be on the way to Khiam.