Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Algeria has reported an influx of foreign recruits for Al Qaida.

Officials said the foreigners consisted mostly of Al Qaida fighters from such neighboring states as Libya, Mali and Tunisia.

“The Council of Ministers was informed about the operation which was brilliantly conducted by the People’s National Army in the region of Tinzaouatine two days ago, during which a dangerous infiltration attempt by a heavily armed terrorist group, whose elements are from Mali, Libya and Tunisia was failed,” President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said.

In a meeting with the Cabinet on May 6, Bouteflika said foreign fighters were captured in the army’s counter-insurgency offensive in Tamanrasset near Mali. He said at least 10 insurgents were killed since May 5.

Officials said Algeria faced a renewed threat by Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb. They cited AQIM operations in several areas, including Tizi Ouzou, some 100 kilometers from Algiers. In April 2014, at least 14 Algerian Army soldiers were killed in an AQIM ambush.

“This new foreign attack should be everyone’s concern to show the utmost
vigilance and support the heroic commitment of the People’s National Army
and the security forces to face this despicable terrorism,” the Cabinet
said.

AQIM was said to have recruited fighters in such countries as Mali,
Mauritania, Libya and Tunisia. They said the fighters were equipped with
rocket-propelled grenades, assault rifles and improvised explosive devices.

“The number of terrorists eliminated in the anti-terrorist operation
launched since Monday afternoon by a detachment of the joint forces of
People’s National Army near Tinzaouatine in Tamanrasset rose to 10,” the
Algerian Defense Ministry said.

The Defense Ministry also reported the flow of weapons and fighters from
Libya. Officials said some of the captured weapons, which included
surface-to-air missiles, contained the markings of the Libyan Army.

  Abdelaziz Bouteflika, Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, Algeria fights infiltration of Al Qaida fighters from Libya, Mali, Tinzaouatine, Tunisia