Eight killed in Algeria violence

Suspected armed Islamists killed eight members of Algeria’s security forces when they ambushed a military patrol, a local newspaper reported on Saturday.

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Violence continues in the north
African state

Two other security forces members were wounded in the ambush that occurred on Wednesday near al-Youssofiya base, 300 kilometres east of the capital Algiers.

 

The Algerian army conducted a major search operation following the attack, the French-language daily Le Matin reported.

 

There has not been any official confirmation of the deaths so far.

 

On Friday, security forces killed seven suspected armed Islamists when they combed Bouira, an Islamist stronghold located some 90 kilometres east of Algiers, said Le Matin.

 

In other attacks, security services said suspected armed Islamists slit the throats of three civilians on Thursday near Batna, some 320 kilometres east of Algiers.

 

The suspected armed Islamists also attacked the vehicle of a deputy mayor of a small town on Thursday, killing him along with a friend travelling with him.

The ambush took place in M’sila province, some 190 kilometres south of Algiers, the paper said.

 

Another man was killed on Wednesday after assailants set up a false road checkpoint.

 

Islamists in Algeria resorted to violence more than a decade ago after the government called off parliamentary elections in which they were poised to win.

 

At least 42 civilians and 20 service personnel were killed in violence believed to have been perpetrated by Islamists since the beginning of this month.

 

More than 550 Algerians have been killed since the beginning of this year.

 

Between 100,000 and 150,000 people have been killed since the eruption of violence in 1992.

 

Algerian government forces and local militias have also been accused of involvement in massacres which claimed the lives of thousands of civilians.