A French-Moroccan individual lost his life in a harrowing encounter with Algerian coastguards while on a jet skiing adventure near the Morocco-Algeria border. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has escalated tensions between the neighboring North African nations. Here’s what we know so far:
The victim, identified as Bilal Kissi, who had been residing in France, embarked on a jet skiing expedition with his brother Mohamed, their Moroccan cousin Abdelali Mechouar, and their friend Smail Snabe, also of French-Moroccan descent. However, their excursion took an ominous turn as they inadvertently strayed into Algerian waters.
According to Mohamed Kissi’s account to the press, “We knew we were in Algeria because a black Algerian dinghy came towards us, and those on board fired at us.” Tragically, Bilal Kissi lost his life in this confrontation. Mohamed Kissi, miraculously, managed to return to Morocco and promptly reported the horrifying incident.
The Moroccan authorities have launched an investigation into this incident, with a focus on Bilal Kissi’s death. His lifeless body was discovered on the Saidia beach, a popular summer resort near the Algeria-Morocco border renowned for its extensive shoreline and water sports activities.
Regrettably, Abdelali Mechouar’s body remains in Algeria, while Smail Snabe is reportedly wounded and in Algerian custody, as stated by Moroccan media reports.
The grief-stricken family and friends of Bilal Kissi laid him to rest on Thursday in Bni Drar village, situated near Oujda, a Moroccan city adjacent to Algeria. At his funeral, a cousin of Bilal Kissi expressed their sorrow, saying, “We buried a brother and want Abdelali’s body back. He’s our cousin. We want to give him a dignified burial so his mother can have closure.”
Highlighting the innocence of the young victims, the cousin stressed, “These young people weren’t involved in drugs and they hadn’t stolen anything. They are of good standing and were only here on a family holiday” from their jobs in France. He added, “One (of those who died) left two children, the other a daughter.”
The French government has been closely monitoring the situation. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed one death but did not release the identity of the victim, citing “an incident involving several of our nationals.” They also mentioned that another French citizen has been detained in the same incident. France has assured its support to the affected families, with its crisis support center and embassies in Morocco and Algeria offering assistance.
This tragic incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Morocco and Algeria, further exacerbated by their ongoing dispute over the Western Sahara territory. The border between the two countries has remained closed since 1994, and Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021, citing “hostile acts.” Morocco responded by calling this decision “completely unjustified.”
In a glimmer of hope for reconciliation earlier this year, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI expressed his desire for a return to normalcy and the reopening of borders with Algeria. However, tensions surged again following Israel’s recognition of “Morocco’s sovereignty” over the Western Sahara, a move denounced by Algeria as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
As this investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this tragic incident will impact the already delicate relations between Morocco and Algeria.
A French-Moroccan individual lost his life in a harrowing encounter with Algerian coastguards while on a jet skiing adventure near the Morocco-Algeria border. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has escalated tensions between the neighboring North African nations. Here’s what we know so far:
The victim, identified as Bilal Kissi, who had been residing in France, embarked on a jet skiing expedition with his brother Mohamed, their Moroccan cousin Abdelali Mechouar, and their friend Smail Snabe, also of French-Moroccan descent. However, their excursion took an ominous turn as they inadvertently strayed into Algerian waters.
According to Mohamed Kissi’s account to the press, “We knew we were in Algeria because a black Algerian dinghy came towards us, and those on board fired at us.” Tragically, Bilal Kissi lost his life in this confrontation. Mohamed Kissi, miraculously, managed to return to Morocco and promptly reported the horrifying incident.
The Moroccan authorities have launched an investigation into this incident, with a focus on Bilal Kissi’s death. His lifeless body was discovered on the Saidia beach, a popular summer resort near the Algeria-Morocco border renowned for its extensive shoreline and water sports activities.
Regrettably, Abdelali Mechouar’s body remains in Algeria, while Smail Snabe is reportedly wounded and in Algerian custody, as stated by Moroccan media reports.
The grief-stricken family and friends of Bilal Kissi laid him to rest on Thursday in Bni Drar village, situated near Oujda, a Moroccan city adjacent to Algeria. At his funeral, a cousin of Bilal Kissi expressed their sorrow, saying, “We buried a brother and want Abdelali’s body back. He’s our cousin. We want to give him a dignified burial so his mother can have closure.”
Highlighting the innocence of the young victims, the cousin stressed, “These young people weren’t involved in drugs and they hadn’t stolen anything. They are of good standing and were only here on a family holiday” from their jobs in France. He added, “One (of those who died) left two children, the other a daughter.”
The French government has been closely monitoring the situation. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed one death but did not release the identity of the victim, citing “an incident involving several of our nationals.” They also mentioned that another French citizen has been detained in the same incident. France has assured its support to the affected families, with its crisis support center and embassies in Morocco and Algeria offering assistance.
This tragic incident comes at a time of heightened tensions between Morocco and Algeria, further exacerbated by their ongoing dispute over the Western Sahara territory. The border between the two countries has remained closed since 1994, and Algeria severed diplomatic ties with Morocco in August 2021, citing “hostile acts.” Morocco responded by calling this decision “completely unjustified.”
In a glimmer of hope for reconciliation earlier this year, Morocco’s King Mohammed VI expressed his desire for a return to normalcy and the reopening of borders with Algeria. However, tensions surged again following Israel’s recognition of “Morocco’s sovereignty” over the Western Sahara, a move denounced by Algeria as a “flagrant violation of international law.”
As this investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this tragic incident will impact the already delicate relations between Morocco and Algeria.
