Three gunmen killed in Algeria

The Algerian daily al-Youm reported on Sunday that Algerian security forces killed three Armed Islamic Group (GIA) members in Souk al-Khamis in Bouira province, in vast mopping up operations, during which heavy machine guns were used.

The paper added that security forces, backed by helicopters, are also still cordoning the mountainous areas and the forests near Skikda province, where main centers for the GIA are located.

The paper also reported that one citizen was killed and another wounded in Qandouzah woods in Djelfa province by an armed group.

Meanwhile, the Algerian daily Sawt al-Ahrar said that mopping-up operations carried out jointly by the Algerian army and security forces in Bumedras province resulted in the death of ten gunmen, destruction of more than 20 of their shelters and confiscation of weapons and ammunition. Some 12 gunmen surrendered themselves to the security forces after being besieged in Khamis al-Kheshnah area.