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 Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From World
World
Libya demands improvements after leaked photos show tiny cell of Moammar Gadhafi's son in Beirut
Leaked photographs of the son of Libya's late dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the tiny underground cell where he has been held for years in Lebanon have raised concerns in the north African nation as Libyan authorities demand improvements.
World
French police remove pro-Palestinian students from the courtyard of Sorbonne university in Paris
French police removed dozens of students from the Sorbonne university after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the main courtyard of the elite institution in Paris on Monday.
World
Global negotiations on a treaty to end plastic pollution at critical phase in Canada
For the first time, negotiators from most of the world's nations are discussing the text of what is supposed to become a global treaty to end plastic pollution.
World
UN asks South Sudan to remove new taxes that led to a pause in food airdrops
The United Nations has urged South Sudan to remove newly imposed taxes and charges that led to the suspension of U.N. food airdrops for thousands of people who depend on outside aid.
World
Depardieu briefly detained by French police, reportedly on sexual assault allegations
French police detained actor GĂ©rard Depardieu for several hours Monday for what media reports said was questioning over accusations by two women that he sexually assaulted them on movie sets.