Ramadan massacre in Algeria

Suspected Algerian Islamic militants have killed 17 civilians and wounded four others in the worst attack so far during this year's Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.

Algerian security sources said the attack occurred late on Thursday night in the area of Cadat in the province of Ain Defla, about 130 kilometres (81 miles) south west of Algiers.

According to the official APS news agency, the security forces have launched "a vast operation to look for the criminals." No details on the identity of the victims have been given.

The month of Ramadan normally sees an escalation of violence in Algeria, where more than 100,000 people have been killed in 10 years of violence between Islamic militants and the military-backed government.

Soaring violence

The violence brought the number of people killed since the start of Ramadan, which began on 16 November, to 48.

Violence erupted in Algeria after authorities cancelled a general election in January 1992 which Islamic fundamentalists were poised to win.

Since then according to official figures more than 100,000 people have been killed - although independent sources put the death toll at 150,000.