On Friday, Algeria commenced a partial decontamination effort at a site of French nuclear tests, specifically at 'Bir Ahlia - In Ekker' in the southern region of Tamanrasset. This marks the country's first operation aimed at cleaning up these sites that have been left contaminated since the colonial period. The Algerian news agency reported that the operation follows decades of studies and planning, undertaken with national resources.

The announcement coincided with the 66th anniversary of the French nuclear explosions, which have left extensive areas of Algeria contaminated and have caused permanent disabilities among some local inhabitants. Algeria has repeatedly urged the French authorities to provide maps of the nuclear waste burial sites, indicating a long-standing demand for accountability and assistance in addressing the aftermath of these colonial nuclear experiments.

Furthermore, a documentary showcased that the 'In Ekker' area had previously witnessed a subsurface explosion equivalent to 150 kilotons of TNT, leading to radioactive gas leaks and significant environmental damage. The effects of these tests continue to plague the region, with ongoing emissions of harmful materials demonstrating the lasting legacy of colonial nuclear activities in Algeria.