low graphics version | feedback | help
Algeria hit by new massacres
Eight years of violence has left 100,000 people dead |
Suspected Islamist extremists in Algeria are reported to have killed at least 28 people in two separate attacks over the weekend.
Government security officials said 18 people were killed when rebels opened fire in the village of Nfissa in Ain Defla province, some 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of the capital, Algiers.
Several of the victims died on the way to hospital, a television report said.
In an attack on Saturday, a group of nine people and a soldier were killed at a false checkpoint near Chebli, 35 km south of Algiers.
Eyewitnesses said men impersonating civilian guards stopped two cars and killed the passengers, who included women and children.
Upsurge in violence
Nearly 150 people have been killed in a new wave of violence during November as the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan approaches.
Rebels have in previous years stepped up their attacks during Ramadan.
They have until 13 January 2000 to surrender to the authorities as part of a peace plan offered by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.
He has vowed to wage an all-out campaign against those who reject the amnesty, which aims to bring to an end nearly eight years of civil war in which an estimated 100,000 people have been killed.
The Islamic insurgency began after the army cancelled parliamentary elections in 1992 which the Islamic Salvation Front was poised to win.
In a separate development, Algerian police are reported to have arrested dozens of Muslim radicals following the killing of a moderate Islamist leader, Abdelkader Hachani, last week.
His killing, which was widely condemned, is being regarded as part of an attempt to derail President Bouteflika's peace efforts.
|
Search BBC News Online |
|
|
 Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
 | BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
 | BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
 | PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
|
|
See also: |
|
 |
|
 |
23 Nov 99 | Middle East |
|
Thousands attend Hachani funeral |
| |
|
|
24 Nov 99 | Middle East |
|
Islamist's death threatens Algeria peace process |
| |
|
|
24 Nov 99 | Media reports |
|
Islamists denounce "cowardly" killing of leader |
| |
|
|
16 Sep 99 | Africa |
|
Analysis: A people tired of conflict |
| |
|
|
23 Nov 99 | Monitoring |
|
Algerian press denounces killing |
| |
|
|
22 Nov 99 | Middle East |
|
Algerian Islamic leader shot dead |
| |
|
|
17 Sep 99 | Africa |
|
Algerian vote 'victory for peace' |
| |
|
|
17 Sep 99 | Africa |
|
Analysis: Bouteflika emerges victorious |
| |
|
|
Internet links: |
|
|
|
|
|
World Algerian Action Coalition |
| |
|
|
Algeria info |
| |
|
|
Algerian News Agency |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites |
|
Links to other Middle East stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
~RS~a~RS~international~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~04~RS~)