Nine gunmen believed to be Islamic extremists were reported killed Monday in separate clashes with army forces in the eastern parts of the capital, reported the Kuwaiti News Agency (KUNA)and an Algerian paper.
The Le Tribune said six people were killed while getting ready to attack a market in Sfizif area in the state of Sidi Bulabis, 400 kilometers west of the capital.
In another incident, the daily El Khabar reported that two extremists were killed overnight in Khamis Alkhisna village, 60 kilometers east of Algiers.
The agency quoted the paper as saying that the two were on their way to plant a mine in a drinking water storage before guards shot them dead.
Since the beginning of the year, some 330 people have been killed in Algeria, according to media and witness reports.
El Khabar also reported Tuesday that one terrorist has been killed by the military near the city of Msila, and a group of 12 other terrorists is still surrounded by the security forces there. The terrorist group belongs to Hassan Hattab’s organization called GSPC, said the paper.
Last year, at least 2,700 people died despite an ambitious "national concord" program initiated by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika under which thousands of Islamic fighters laid down their arms.
The Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and the GSPC rejected Bouteflika's offer of amnesty, and have continued attacks against military and civilian targets.
Algeria's civil war broke out in 1992 after the military stepped in to prevent the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) from winning democratic elections - Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
