Algeria

At least 11 soldiers killed in ambush

Article published on the 2009-07-30 Latest update 2009-07-31 16:31 TU

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika
(Photo: AFP)

The Algerian military has launched a manhunt for attackers who killed at least 11 soldiers in the north of the country. Some newspapers put the death toll as high as 21.

The military has mobilised to track down the attackers, who it presumes to be members of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which is reported to have suffered a number of losses in military operations over the last few days.

Press reports say that a convoy travelling along the road that links Algiers to the coastal town of Damous was attacked by several bombs and then by gunfire, leading to a shoot-out that lasted about 20 minutes.

Estimates of the military losses vary. Five of the attackers were killed, according to the Arabic newspaper El Khabar.

Local people say that the soldiers were returning after escorting a group of Chinese workers building a motorway which is intended to cross the country from east to west.

The losses were among the highest for the military this year. Last month 18 gendarmes and a civilian were killed in the south-east.