Algerian Violence Leaves Two Dead and 172 Arrested
Security forces arrested 172 people in a continued crackdown on fundamentalists, and two people, including a young girl, died in clashes between the Muslim activists and security forces.
Agitation by Islamic fundamentalists seeking to overthrow the government of President Chadli Bendjedid has left nearly 50 people dead since June 5, when a state of emergency was declared.
Authorities had said an additional 1,293 people were arrested between Sunday and Tuesday in a dragnet aimed at the fundamentalist Islamic Salvation Front. The party’s top two leaders were arrested over the weekend.
The communique said ammunition, medicine, military fatigues, firebombs and gasoline were found in mosques, town halls and headquarters of the Islamic Front. The party has controlled the majority of the country’s districts since winning local elections a year ago.
The government has alleged that the fundamentalists are under foreign influences.
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