Security forces kill 10 in Algeria

Algerian security forces have killed 10 Islamist rebels in an ambush, state radio reported today.

Algerian security forces have killed 10 Islamist rebels in an ambush, state radio reported today.

The security forces, acting on a tip off, ambushed the insurgents yesterday in the region of M'sila, 400km east of Algiers, the radio report said. It said that a "large quantity" of weapons had been seized during the operation.

Insurgents operating under the name al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb carry out sporadic bombings and kidnappings in Algeria, though the level of violence has subsided dramatically in the past few years.

Officials say that they have killed or captured hundreds of the insurgents while many others have been persuaded to lay down their arms, leaving only a small hardcore of active fighters.

Reuters

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