ALGERIA DISMANTLES SALAFIST CELLS
CAIRO — Algeria has dismantled key Islamic insurgency cells.
Officials said Algerian authorities have captured at least eight Al
Qaida operatives believed to have conducted a bombing campaign against
police and security forces. The operatives were said to have been members of
the Salafist Brigade for Combat and Call, which merged with Al Qaida in
September 2006.
Officials said the operatives were arrested in the region of Tizi Ouzou,
about 100 kilometers east of Algiers. They said the suspects ranged in age
from 24 to 41 and were alleged to have blown up police stations and the
barracks of security forces on Feb. 13. At least six people were killed and
13 injured in what appeared to be coordinated bombings.
The operatives have been charged with membership in a terrorist group,
assassinations, attempted murder and production of bombs.
Officials said that in mid-February authorities dismantled another
insurgency network in Blida. They said the Blida cell had planned to blow up
government and police stations in the city, located 45 kilometers southwest
of Algiers.
