At least 11 soldiers have been killed in an ambush by alleged Islamic fighters, local media has reported.

According to El Watan newspaper, the soldiers were killed when their convoy was attacked in the Tipaza province of western Algeria on Wednesday.

The paper said the convoy was first hit by roadside bombs, after which gunmen opened fire with automatic weapons.

Algerian officials have not yet confirmed the reports.

Algeria has been fighting an insurgency for nearly two decades.

Violence has increased in the past two months, with 18 paramilitary police killed in an ambush in east Algeria in June.