ALGIERS — Algerian authorities say four armed Islamic extremists have been killed in a shootout with soldiers southeast of the capital.
A security service statement Saturday says the fighting occurred overnight in Sour El Ghozlane, 120 kilometers (70 miles) from Algiers.
The four were in a car heading south when soldiers stopped them and the shooting began, the statement said.
Algeria's army has been fighting extremists for two decades, but tensions recently have been concentrated much farther south, in the desert close to the Libyan border.
Al-Qaida's North African arm, AQIM, is based in Algeria.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From World
World
EU hopeful North Macedonia to hold May 8 presidential runoff with center-right candidate in the lead
North Macedonia will head to a presidential runoff after no candidate secured enough votes to win outright in Wednesday's first round of balloting held as the country seeks to enter into the European Union.
World
Authorities in Togo are cracking down on media and the opposition, report says ahead of election
Authorities in Togo have repressed the media and prevented civilians from gathering to protest peacefully, Amnesty International said in a report published Wednesday, ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to take place at the end of this month.
World
Hamas releases video showing well-known Israeli-American hostage
Hamas released a hostage video on Wednesday showing a well-known Israeli-American man who was among scores of people abducted by the militants in the attack that ignited the war in Gaza.
World
Ukraine thanks the US for billions in new military aid to help stop Russia's advance
Ukrainian officials on Wednesday expressed thanks for $61 billion in new U.S. military aid that threw Kyiv's armed forces a lifeline in their more than two-year war with Russia, even though the supplies aren't expected to have an immediate impact on the battlefield.
World
Russia vetoes a UN resolution calling for the prevention of a nuclear arms race in space
Russia on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. resolution sponsored by the United States and Japan calling on all nations to prevent a dangerous nuclear arms race in outer space.