Algerian troops kill 300 rebels
Algeria, Military, 7/29/1997

Troops backed by helicopters and bulldozers have killed more than 300 "Moslem" rebels and are besieging scores more in northeastern Algeria's mountains, an Algerian newspapaer said on July 28.

One newspaper quoted an army officer as warning civilians in villages, mainly south of Algiers, That "Moslem" rebels might stage more massacres and bomb attacks after rebel losses in a government offensive.

Hundreds of civilians have been killed in massacres and bomb attacks in towns and villages in the past two years when the country's strife took a more bloody turn.

More than 90 villagers, including women and children, died in massacres last week in five attacks in hamlets in Blida province, about 50 km south of Algiers, and in the neighboring Hadjout and Bou Smail areas.

Gunmen on July 27 shot dead a leading doctor in the eastern town of Constantine, said Al Akhbar newspaper.

Dr. Ben Yehya, a member of the Rally for Culture and Democracy (RCD) was shot five times in the head in his clinic it said.

The military, in an offensive against "Moslem" rebels in areas which have been the focus of most killings in the past two tears in Blida and Medea provinces, were besieging and shelling more rebel hideouts.

"More than 300 gunmen have been killed by the security forces in a huge operation since July 14," sald Le Matin newspaper. The offensive focused on Attaba area in Blida region where other newspapers had put the number of rebels killed at up to 150.

Le Matin and Al Akhbar reported on July 28 that troops had then moved into Bouzid, Magtaa Kheira and Oued El Alleug, south and west of Attaba, to encircle and pound scores more rebels holed up there.

"We clashed with them all night and at dawn we put them under bombardment," a government force member added, talking about an unspecified number of rebels holed up in Magtaa Kheira.

Le Matin said security forces found 40 blockhouses in the area, each able to hold about 20 rebels. It said bulldozers guarded by soldiers began plowing roads thorough the forest in the nearby Sidi Bouzid area.

"We will shell the area in the next few days,² an army officer told Le Matin.

Al Akhbar newspaper said about 50 rebels had taken refuge in Sidi Bouzid mountain.

It said the operation in Attaba and the neighboring areas was part of a large offensive across rebel strongholds.

Previous Stories:
  Villagers butchered in Algeria   (7/25/1997)

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