LThe beginning of 1958 was marked by several ambushes of the Mujahideen from our country, which dealt a serious blow to the morale of the French troops, who recorded serious setbacks. After these operations, the Algerian resistance fighters had to retreat to the border village of Sakiet Sidi Youssef. But on February 8, 1958, in Sakiet Sidi Youssef, the 30th incident just happened. This is a French plane hit by a machine gun posted in this village at 9:05 in the morning and which had to land in disaster in Tebessa. General Edmond Jouhaud, commander of the 5th Air region, then decided to carry out a raid. This was the massacre in Sakiet Sidi Youssef.
Indeed, the bombing of Sakiet Sidi Youssef by the French air force was a carnage: 72 dead (including children and the elderly) and many injured estimated at eighty-four. Since then, the annual event celebrated in the martyr village symbolizes the Tunisian-Algerian brotherhood. Moreover, it is in this spirit of remembrance that the Algerian Prime Minister visited Sakiet Sidi Youssef yesterday with the Head of the Tunisian Government, Mrs. Najla Bouden, not only to perpetuate the memory of the martyrs who fell that day but also to explore ways to raise the level of collaboration between the two countries to higher levels. Certainly, there is no need to be ashamed to loudly display collaboration, security and military cooperation to combat the terrorist hydra that threatens not only our country but also Algeria, on such an occasion. Did Tunisia not constitute the rearguard of the Algerian revolution both logistically and humanely during the French occupation? This is also the reason why Algeria is hardly indifferent to the activities of the terrorist nebula in our country. Is our neighbor not himself in the line of sight of the jihadist Islamists on at least two strategic flanks? Therefore, it is quite logical that the two countries, already united by blood ties, should join hands to confront this common danger. But it is also time to face other no less important challenges, knowing well that Tunisia is experiencing an acute economic and financial crisis where Algeria can play a great role to support it and stand by its side at such a crucial moment marked by the unsuspected effects of the coronavirus pandemic on its economic and financial balances. This solidarity, which continues at the highest level of the two countries, should also lead to unconditional Algerian support able to allow our country to overcome the crisis and our neighbor to ensure political and social stability on its borders.
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