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Algerian forces surround major insurgency group

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Friday, August 23, 2002

CAIRO Ñ Algerian troops are said to have surrounded an insurgency force of 250 combatants, including the head of a major Islamic rebel group.

Algerian security sources said the insurgency force has been surrounded near Adghal in the Kabilye region. They said one of the insurgents is Hassan Khatab, head of the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call. The brigade is regarded as one of the two leading Islamic insurgency groups and is said to have killed thousands of soldiers and civilians since 1998. The brigade is a splinter group from the much larger Islamic Armed Group.

Algerian radio reported that the military has employed heavy weapons such as artillery and tanks to pound Salafist positions around 120 kilometers southeast of the capital Algiers. The radio said the fighting has been going on for more than a week.

The security sources said Algerian intelligence agencies had received a report that the Salafists were planning a secret conference in Adghal to plan strategy in their 10-year insurgency war against Algiers. The information led to a surprise attack by Algerian special operations forces, supported by helicopters and fighter-jets.

The sources said Algerian bombers and attack helicopters have been pounding several homes believed being used by the Salafists. They said the group prepared several underground bunkers, filled with food and weapons, for the meeting.

So far, the sources said, one underground bunker has been captured.

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