Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — The Algerian Army has been rocked by an apparent Al Qaida bombing.

At least seven soldiers were said to have been killed by an improvised explosive device on July 12 in western Algeria.

Officials said the bombing targeted a military truck destined for an army base near Ein Kercha, 500 kilometers west of Algiers.

“Three soldiers and four communal guards died Saturday following a
hand-made bomb blast, near Ein Eicha, commune of Sidi Chaib, in Sidi
Bel-Abbes,” the Algerian Defense Ministry said.

In a statement on July 13, the Defense Ministry did not identify the
attackers. The ministry said the army responded to the blast with a
“cordon-and-search operation in the area.”

The bombing marked a rare lethal operation by Al Qaida in Algeria.
Officials said the military has driven out most fighters of Al Qaida
Organization in the Islamic Maghreb.

“This criminal act has only reinforced the army determination to chase
and eliminate the terrorist groups and clear the country of their heinous
acts,” the Defense Ministry said.

  Al Qaida Organization in the Islmaic Maghreb, Bomb kills seven soldiers in rare Al Qaida attack inside Algeria, Ein Kercha