Algeria has been targeted by two viral fake news campaigns originating in France within a five-day period, according to reports. These two distinct fake news stories emerged within a short timeframe, noting a concerted effort. The operations are believed to aim at destabilization through false information, especially given the tense diplomatic context between Paris and Algiers. The first fake news story involved a map published on X on September 19, detailing hypothetical military scenarios. The second fake news, a video published on X on September 14, concerned footage filmed in a mall in Oran, which was then misrepresented. That video was viewed nearly 745,000 times on the platform, indicating its significant reach. Algeria has been the victim of these two fake news stories originating in France within this tight five-day window.
Russian Drone Map Deception
A map showing potential targets for Russian drones launched from Algeria was posted by an influence organ linked to Russia, according to French publication La Dépêche. The map traces a 1,000 km circle encompassing parts of France, with about fifteen potential and vital targets marked within this radius. This simulation depicted a scenario where Russian drones could be launched from Algerian territory. The drone launch point is indicated specifically in Algeria's Skikda region on the map.
The Telegram channel "Rybar_Africa" authored the simulation, which is explicitly identified as the African branch of Rybar. Rybar is an influence network founded by Mikhail Zvinchuk, who is reportedly close to the Russian government, lending weight to the political nature of the content. The simulation asks readers "d’imaginer" (to imagine) the arrival of Geran-5 jet drones from Algeria, despite the fact that Russia has no military presence in Algeria. La Dépêche states the map is imaginary, noting its purpose is "d’abord la déstabilisation par la diffusion de fausses informations, notamment dans le contexte diplomatique tendu entre Paris et Alger. Mais aussi la promotion du nouveau matériel militaire russe." This dual objective shows the strategic intent behind the fabricated map.
Misrepresented Mall Video
A video falsely presented an Algerian shopping mall as being located in France, with the accompanying narrative claiming its clientele was "mainly from Maghrebi immigration." The second fake news specifically concerned this video, which was actually filmed in a mall in Oran. The account that shared the video, Clara Vox (@claravoxfr), commented, "Les centres commerciaux de la Nouvelle France," a phrase intended to evoke a particular political narrative. This comment alludes to a statement by LFI founder Jean-Luc Mélenchon regarding the diversity of origins within France, linking the video to broader social and political debates. France 24 verified that the footage was, in fact, filmed in Oran, Algeria, definitively debunking the false claim. The misrepresentation of the mall's location and demographic aims to create a false impression of France's social landscape and demographic composition.
Amplification and Reactions
The fake news operation involving the Russian drone map also sought to promote new Russian military equipment, according to analyses, aligning with the broader strategic goals of the influence network. Separately, the fabricated video of the Oran mall, falsely presented as being in France, generated numerous racist reactions from far-right internet users online. The video, which was presented as being of a shopping mall in France with a clientele mainly from Maghrebi immigration, fueled these discriminatory responses. Moroccan press outlets, including the Yabiladi site, republished the fake news about the drone map without verification, contributing to its amplification and wider dissemination across the region. The video's significant viewership of nearly 745,000 times on X further demonstrates the scale of its impact and the potential for widespread misinformation.