Algeria is said to have captured a major insurgency cell in
its military search-and-destroy operation.
Meanwhile, in Algiers Thursday, Algeria and Spain signed a security cooperation accord that mandates cooperation between security forces
from the two countries and
focuses on cooperation in counter-insurgency.
Spain has captured 270 illegal immigrants from Algeria since June 10,
officials said. Most of the illegal immigrants arrived in Spain to work in
agriculture.
The accord was signed a month after Spain and Morocco engaged in a
military standoff over a disputed island in the southern Mediterranean.
Unlike most Arab countries, Algeria supported Spain in the feud.
Algeria and Morocco have long been rivals and each has accused the other
of supporting insurgency groups.
Algerian media reports assert that the military has captured an
insurgency network in Boumerdes alleged to have killed at least five
Algerians and planned attacks in neighboring provinces. The captured cell
was composed of 14 insurgents and was said to have been linked to other
squads.
The capture of the cell was the latest achievement in the intensified
military search-and-destroy operation in the Algerian countryside. The
operation has included the use of Algieran Su-24 fighter-bombers and Mi-24
attack helicopters.
Algeria has also used special operations forces to comb the mountains
for insurgents. Many of the troops were trained in martial arts by South
Korean instructors.
Media reports said Algerian troops killed up to 14 Islamic insurgents
over the last two days in the Sidi Balabas province about 440 kilometers
west of the capital Algiers. The La Tribune daily reported that one of them
was an Islamic insurgency commander.
In July, two Algerian insurgency groups launched an offensive against
civilians and soldiers. In all, at least 150 people were killed by the Armed
Islamic Group and the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call.
It was not clear to which group the captured cell belonged. Algerian
security sources said the 15-member cell helped plan insurgency attacks and
the storage of ammunition.
The media reports said Algerian security forces also foiled an
insurgency plan to ambush security officers. The attack was also meant to
kill an insurgent who had decided to cooperate with authorities.
The security accord would allow the two countries to extradite fugitives and
exchange intelligence on insurgents. The two countries would also be allowed
to conduct joint investigations.
Algeria and Spain have engaged in limited security cooperation. Last
year, the two countries signed a security protocol to expand their
cooperation.
Officials said the two countries also plan to launch cooperation between
their interior ministries. Such cooperation would include cooperation in the
field of counter-insurgency and in the battle against illegal drugs and
illegal immigration.
Algeria and Spain are also linked by a natural gas pipeline that brings
energy to Western Europe. The two countries are considering plans to
increase shipments from the pipeline.
On Thursday, a high-level French military
delegation, led by the nation's air force chief, visited Morocco and met
with Moroccan Air Force commander Gen. Ahmed Abu Talab. The French
delegation is expected to discuss military cooperation and will visit
several Moroccan air force bases.
