Algerian soldiers have shot and killed forty armed Islamic extremists during operations in mountains in Relizane region west of the capital Algiers, newspapers reported Sunday.
The dailies El Watan, La Nouvelle Republique and Er-Rai said the shootout occurred on Friday in the latest of ongoing clashes between army forces and insurgents. The newspapers described those killed as being members of the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, a dissident wing of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and said they included two unidentified Salafist leaders.
In the reports, which were not confirmed or denied by the security forces, El Watan said the army used heavy weapons and air support, and that operations were still in progress. Additionally, the newspapers reported the discovery of a mass grave near Sidi Moussa, some 30 kilometers southeast of Algiers, but gave no further details. (Albawaba.com)
