Some 15 Islamists killed in Algeria

Algerian forces killed more than 15 persons, members in the Islamic groups following a mopping-up operation in al-Meizab mountain in Telmesan province using helicopters.

The Algerian dailies al-Khabar, and voices of the Liberals (Sawt al-Ahrar) said that during the past two days joint reinforcements from the Algerian army and security killed those armed men in the town of Hammam Thalatha near al-Akhdariyah in al-Buweira province and Khamis Melyata in Ein al-Defli province and in al-Mseleh province. Shelters for the armed men in Hammam Thalatha were also destroyed.

The Algerian daily al-Khabar added that the Islamic groups on Sunday slaughtered two citizens in Malako town in Tayyarat province.

Meanwhile, well-informed sources at the Algerian directorate of education in al-Buweira province said that during the period between 1996 - 1998 some 41 elementary schools were closed in remote areas after being evacuated by citizens fearing for their lives because of the massacres committed by the armed groups in these areas.