Six armed men killed in acts of violence in Algeria

The official Algerian radio said that the security forces killed on Thursday 6 members of armed groups to the west of the capital Algiers.

The radio explained that the 6 gunmen including two women were killed during a mopping up operation carried out by the government forces in Ein al-Defli province, 160 Km to the west of the capital Algiers.

However, a group naming itself "the protectors of al-Salafeyah call" which split from the armed Islamist forces is active in Ein al-Defli.

At least 29 persons were killed, including 22 gunmen and 7 member of the security forces, in acts of violence since the beginning of this month December, according to official and press figures, and 890 persons including 430 gunmen since the beginning of the current year, 2002.