The author expressed profound sorrow regarding the fires in Jijel, stating that this grief surpassed any felt for cities previously destroyed by fire, earthquakes, or bombs. This profound emotional response was further emphasized by the author, who stated that this sorrow was greater than any felt for other cities destroyed by fire, earthquake, or bombs in history. The author asserted that the city was deliberately targeted and burned by a perpetrator who had engaged in prior planning. This assertion forms a central tenet of the author's perspective on the tragic events unfolding in the region, suggesting a calculated malevolence behind the widespread destruction. The deliberate nature of the incident, according to the author, distinguishes it from other historical calamities, showing the depth of the tragedy.
A City Under Siege
The author, who visited Jijel in 2002, described the city's beauty, likening it to a surrealist painting and a dream island. This vivid recollection of Jijel's past splendor serves to heighten the sense of loss and devastation. The author questioned how an accidental fire could ignite simultaneously in a ring around the city, subsequently reducing it to ash. This rhetorical question challenges the notion of an accidental origin, pointing instead to a coordinated effort. The scale and spread of the fires were compared by the author to the devastation caused by a nuclear bomb, an analogy that conveys the immense and immediate destruction inflicted upon the landscape and its communities. The author's personal experience of Jijel's beauty in 2002 provides a stark contrast to the current desolation, reinforcing the argument for a deliberate act rather than a natural disaster. The simultaneous ignition of fires in a ring around the city, as observed by the author, further fuels the suspicion of intentionality, making it difficult to attribute the catastrophe to mere chance.
The Case for Deliberate Arson
The author rejected the notion that the fires in Jijel and other Algerian cities were accidental. This firm rejection shows the author's conviction that these events are not random occurrences. The author posited that these devastating events were not merely unfortunate incidents but rather acts of deliberate arson. This perspective firmly attributes the widespread destruction to human action rather than natural causes. The author contended that enemies burned Jijel as an act of revenge against Algeria. This belief frames the fires within a broader context of hostility and retribution, suggesting a targeted campaign against the nation. This perspective attributes the widespread destruction to a calculated campaign rather than natural causes or unintentional ignitions, implying a sophisticated and malicious intent behind the conflagrations. The author's insistence on deliberate arson and revenge notes a deep-seated concern about external threats and their impact on Algerian cities.
A Message of Resilience
Despite the devastation, a message of resilience has emerged from those directly confronting the fires. A man engaged in firefighting efforts in Jijel articulated a strong resolve to rebuild. He was quoted as saying, "من هذا الرماد نقولو بلي نبقاو هنا ونموتو هنا ونغرسوها خضراء بإذن الله" (From this ash, we say we will stay here, die here, and plant it green, God willing). This powerful statement reflects a determination among some residents to remain in their homes and restore the affected areas, even as the fires continue to cause widespread destruction. The sentiment shows a commitment to the land and a defiance in the face of the calamitous events. This declaration from the heart of the crisis zone provides a counter-narrative of hope and perseverance against the backdrop of widespread destruction. It embodies the spirit of an affected community determined to reclaim and regenerate their environment, irrespective of the scale of the disaster.
