9 KILLED IN ALGERIA
The security agents were working for the facility operated by Algeria‘s national electricity provider, Sonelgaz, near Ziama Mansouriah, a locality of the Jijel area, 215 miles (350 kilometers) east of the capital, Algiers. The bombing occurred at their housing compound (see also – Zemmouri 08.09.08 ).
The El Watan daily said the bombing late Sunday was preceded by mortar fire on the security agents’ housing compound, but the officials could not confirm this.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because Algerian regulations forbid officials from discussing security matters. They said two of the injured guards were in critical condition at a nearby hospital. Algerian authorities made no immediate comment on the attack, the second against security agents from the Spas security company in recent years.
The bombing has not been claimed, but it came as Al Qaeda Algerian offshoot, MAGHREB al-Qaeda , has vowed to step up attacks in the North African country ahead of presidential elections in April 2009.
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