A young man, Osama Hemham, a former player for the Al-Amal Sports Club in Al-Hoceima, tragically lost his life after the Algerian navy opened fire on a boat carrying him during an attempt at irregular migration that had set off from Saidia beach. He was part of a group of migrants swept by the currents towards the waters near the Algerian coast, with no intention of crossing it.
An Algerian naval patrol intercepted the boat and fired live ammunition directly at it, resulting in Osama sustaining a fatal gunshot wound that claimed his life immediately. This incident has caused shock and grief within the Al-Hoceima community, where the victim resided.
Al-Amal Sports Club issued a statement confirming the death of their former player, expressing deep sorrow for the loss of one of their own and offering condolences to his family and the entire team and city. The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, who have described what happened as an “unjustified crime.”
The behavior of the Algerian forces brings back to light their violent approach towards migrants, even in unintentional cases. This incident echoes the killing of two Moroccan youths by Algerian gunfire in 2023 after they inadvertently entered Algerian waters on a jet ski. The recurrence of such events raises questions about the excessive use of force by Algerian authorities and the absence of legal and humanitarian standards in dealing with such situations.
