Algerian Troops Reportedly Encircle Scores of Rebels

Troops backed by helicopters have encircled scores of rebels in northern Algeria’s mountains, Algerian newspapers reported Monday.

Le Matin and Al Khabar dailies said troops had surrounded the rebels in areas south and west of Attatba, about 25 miles southwest of Algiers, the capital. One paper put the number of rebels at 50, another at 60.

“We encountered them here in this forest” near Magtaa Kheira, about 40 miles southwest of Algiers, a member of government forces told Le Matin. “We clashed with them all night and at dawn we put them under bombardment.”

Le Matin said soldiers had located about 40 blockhouses in the area, each reportedly able to hold about 20 rebels. It said bulldozers guarded by soldiers began plowing roads through the forest.

One newspaper quoted an army officer as warning civilians in outlying villages that Muslim guerrillas might stage massacres and bomb attacks after heavy rebel losses during the government offensive, which began two weeks ago.

At least 36 villagers died in massacres last week in villages south and west of the capital.

One newspaper reported last week that the massacres were carried out in an attempt to force the military to ease its stranglehold on rebels trapped by the offensive, which began when a kidnapped woman escaped from the rebels and tipped off authorities about a rebel hide-out.

Although some newspapers have reported that about 150 rebels have died over the past two weeks, Le Matin on Monday reported that more than 300 guerrillas, including key officers, have been killed since July 14.