A leisurely day of jet skiing off the Moroccan coast took a horrifying turn for two tourists, Bilal Kissi and Abdelali Mechouer, both French-Moroccan dual nationals.
On a seemingly routine outing with two friends, they found themselves in a life-threatening situation that ended in their tragic deaths at the hands of the Algerian coast guard. The incident has raised concerns about the escalating tensions between Algeria and Morocco.
Algerian Coast Guard’s Deadly Response
The four friends set off from the Saidia resort in northeast Morocco but accidentally veered into Algerian waters. Their ill-fated journey led to a fateful encounter with the Algerian coast guard, who responded with gunfire, claiming the lives of Bilal Kissi and Abdelali Mechouer.
Smail Snabe, another member of the group, was arrested by the Algerian authorities, while the only survivor, Mohamed Kissi, narrowly escaped harm thanks to the swift intervention of the Moroccan navy.
In the aftermath of the incident, Mohamed Kissi refuted claims that the group had attempted to evade the Algerian coast guard, emphasizing that they were lost and out of fuel. He revealed that his brother had attempted to communicate with the officials before the tragic confrontation unfolded.
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Global Response to the Tragic Incident
The incident has sparked outrage not only among the victims’ family and friends but also in the international community.
Abdelkarim Kissi, an actor and cousin of the deceased, called for Moroccan authorities to take the case to international courts. He highlighted the innocence of his cousin Bilal, who had simply crossed into Algerian territorial waters while on vacation with friends.
Tensions between Algeria and Morocco have been mounting for years, exacerbated by their longstanding dispute over the Western Sahara and the closure of their border since 1994.
The situation escalated two years ago when Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco, accusing its neighbor of hostile acts.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of political disputes and territorial conflicts.
As both nations grapple with their strained relationship, the international community will be closely watching for developments in the case and hoping for a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
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