26 killed by Islamists in Western Algeria

The Algerian news agency said on Friday that armed Islamists killed on Thursday evening 26 persons in Harshoun in al-Shalf area to the west of Algeria.

The Islamists attacked and slaughtered three families. Two of the families are composed of 9 members and the third is of 8 members in the isolated town of Buqet al-Akakshah, 50 Km from al-Shalaf, according to people of the area.

According to the sources among the victims are women and children.

This is, however, the largest attack carried out by armed men in Algeria since July 5th, when a bomb went off in al-Arbeya' town market, 20 Km to the south of the capital, and resulted in 38 killings and scores of wounded. Al-Shalaf is considered the headquarters of the Islamic group led by Rasheed Abu Turab.