Press: Algeria Violence Kills 14 People

Published July 15th, 2000 - 02:00 GMT
Al Bawaba
Al Bawaba

Algerian violence killed 14 people, including 10 members of security forces, in several attacks across the country, press reports said Saturday. 

An attack overnight Thursday by presumed Islamic extremists killed six members of an army patrol in the Ain Delfa region, 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Algiers, the daily El-Youm reported. 

Two policemen were killed and another wounded Wednesday in an ambush near Bourmerdes, 50 kilometers east of the capital, several newspapers said. 

The bodies of two soldiers who were kidnapped Tuesday in Tebessa, eastern Algeria, were found on Friday after they were shot and their bodies mutilated. 

A wealthy Tebessa merchant was killed Thursday after reportedly refusing demands by racketeers, several reports said. 

Three armed Islamic militants were killed Thursday by security forces in Chlef, west of Algiers, and Bouira, east of the capital. 

Violence since early July has left at least 160 people dead, including some 20 Islamic extremists, and about 40 injured, according to a press tally. 

Algerian officials neither confirm nor deny the toll. 

President Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced last July a six-month amnesty for armed Islamic fighters not implicated in "blood crimes", rape or planting bombs in public places. 

At least 200 people a month have been reported killed in Algeria since the amnesty for the fighters expired on January 13th - ALGIERS (AFP) 

© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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