Massacres continue despite Zeroual's vow to stop them

One hour after Algerian President Lamine Zeroual vowed on August 6 that rebels who have killed more than 700 civilians in less than two months would be hunted down for crimes, the rebels attacked two provinces in Algeria.

The rebels attacked two family houses in Amroussa village, Blida province 50 km south of Algiers. They killed nineteen members of the Zemin family, including a three-month-old baby by decapitating them using axes.

Two young girls escaped from the massacre. One of them was wounded, while the second, who had been kidnapped with her three sisters, was able to flee from them.

Seven members of Hachou family, whose home is 20 meters from Zemin home, were killed in the same way.

Al Watan Algerian newspaper said that the attackers split into two groups, one keeping the local communal guard blocked in its station while the others carried out the killings.

It said that 40 newborn babies were killed and burnt before eyes of their parents. Le Matin Algerian French language newspaper said the terrorists told young girls, "You will serve our emir (gang leader ). He is waiting for you."

Al Watan said that around 40 people were killed in two mountain villages over the weekend in Ain Defla province, also 76 people were killed in the villages of Oued Al Ilad, Sidi M’hjand, Ameziane and Erradjm.