CAIRO Ñ Algerian military sources said special operations forces killed three
leading insurgents in a battle that lasted throughout the weekend.
One of those killed was identified as a regional commander of the Salafist
Brigade for Combat and Call.
The Salafists are regarded as close allies of Al Qaida, and Algerian
insurgents have been used for operations in Europe. Last week, Algeria
announced the death of Al Qaida's leading agent in neighboring Morocco, Middle East Newsline reported.
The official Algerian Press Service said the battle took place on
Saturday and Sunday in the Muftah district about 20 kilometers south of the
capital Algiers. APS reported that one of those killed was a civilian leader
of the Salafists and the other two were commanders of the insurgency group.
One of the commanders was identified as the Salafist regional chief in
the town of Gawalil in the Muftah area. The Salafists have focused their
attacks on Algerian forces in the forests around Algiers.
Later, Algerian sources said a Salafist insurgent described as
"extremely dangerous" was killed in Batneh about 400 kilometers east of
Algiers. The insurgent was identified by his initials S.M. and termed as a
founding member of the Salafists.
The Salafist group is led by Hassan Hatab, who is regarded as the top
insurgent in Algeria. Algerian officials said the group numbers more than
500 while Western diplomatic sources estimate the Salafist force at 4,500.
Algerian artillery and troops have pounded the forests in western
Algeria where the Salafists are said to be located. Media reports described
heavy fighting throughout the week.
