Raiders Slash 20 Victims’ Throats in Algeria Village
Raiders slashed the throats of 20 villagers southwest of this capital Sunday, the worst attack in a bloody weekend of massacres, ambushes and bombings blamed on Islamic insurgents.
In Brussels, European foreign ministers were gathering for a strategy session on ending the slaughter of civilians in the North African nation--but the resistance of Algeria’s military-backed government to outside interference means the diplomats’ options are limited.
Attacks timed to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan--now in its closing days--have killed about 1,850 people, according to independent reports.
Security forces, frequently accused of letting the insurgents massacre at will, clashed with militant bands at least three times in recent days, killing 29 rebels, according to Algerian newspapers.
The security forces announced the latest civilian massacre in a terse statement. Sunday’s attack hit residents of the village of Frenda, 190 miles southwest of Algiers, the military said.
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