L' expression: Algiers: Nine soldiers killed in an ambush

Nine Algerian soldiers were killed after they were exposed to fire by gunmen suspected to be members of the Islamist groups in an ambush to the west of the capital Algiers.

The Algerian daily L' expression said that a military vehicle was carrying out a mopping up operation in Ein al-Defli area, 140 Km from the capital on Wednesday when it was exposed to fire by gunmen who hid behind rocks and trees.

The paper added quoting military sources that the attackers who used advanced weapons fled towards nearby forests after confiscating the victims' weapons and telecommunication gears.

The paper added that at least one extremist was killed during a fire exchange with the military men who moved to the mountainous area according to information that there are extremist armed groups.