2009 Algerian military ambush explained

Algerian military ambush
Location:Bordj Bou Arréridj, Algeria
Date:Thursday, June 17, 2009
Time:8 p.m.
Fatalities:at least 18
Injuries:currently unknown
Perps:Islamist rebels in Algeria[1]

An ambush on the Algerian paramilitary took place on June 17, 2009, at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT), when Algerian paramilitary escorting Chinese construction workers to a motorway project came under attack from Islamist rebels. Early reports suggested 18 soldiers were killed; some news outlets are reporting that 24 soldiers were killed.[2]

Attacks such as these had been thought to be decreasing prior to the incident, but suddenly began to increase again.[3] The attack was the deadliest aimed at Algeria's government forces for six months.[4]

The ambush

Islamist rebels first attacked the convoy on a highway in the province of Bourdj Bou Arréridj, east of the capital Algiers by detonating two home-made bombs. The gendarmes were then sprayed with bullets. Attackers then reportedly stole the soldiers' uniforms and weapons. Total rebel casualties are unknown. The injured soldiers were taken to nearby hospitals. They stole weapons and several police vehicles.[5]

Algerian security forces launched an operation using helicopters to track and apprehend the militants.[6]

Similar incident

This ambush followed a similar incident on 3 June 2009. Two teachers and eight police escorts died near Algiers whilst in the act of transporting examinations from an examination centre. The teachers' car was bombed and two police cars were fired on.[7]

On 20 April 2014, a similar ambush lead to death of 14 Soldiers in the Tizi Ouzou province of Algeria.[8]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Islamist rebel ambush kills at least 18 police . 2009-06-18 . 2009-06-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20121021050955/http://www.france24.com/en/20090618-islamist-rebel-ambush-kills-least-18-police-algeria-africa . 2012-10-21 . dead .
  2. Web site: 'At least 18 killed' in Algeria ambush . 2009-06-18 . 2009-06-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20090622101735/http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090618/wl_africa_afp/algeriaattacks . June 22, 2009 . dead .
  3. News: Algeria militants 'ambush police'. 2009-06-18. 2009-06-18. BBC News. https://web.archive.org/web/20090621104952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8108159.stm. 21 June 2009 . live.
  4. Web site: 18 cops killed in Algerian ambush - report. 2009-06-18. 2009-06-18. iol.co.za.
  5. Web site: 24 policemen killed in Algeria attack. 2009-06-18. 2009-06-18. RTÉ. https://web.archive.org/web/20090621083355/http://www.rte.ie/news/2009/0618/algeria.html. 21 June 2009 . live.
  6. Web site: At least 24 Algerian gendarmes killed in insurgent ambush . 2009-06-18 . 2009-06-18 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20121024134933/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/18/content_11563113.htm . 2012-10-24 . dead .
  7. News: 2 Teachers, 8 police killed in Algerian ambush . 2009-06-03 . 2009-06-18 . boston.com . https://archive.today/20090625221517/http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2009/06/03/2_teachers_8_police_killed_in_algerian_ambush/ . June 25, 2009 . dead .
  8. Web site: 14 soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria. IANS. news.biharprabha.com. 20 April 2014.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "2009 Algerian military ambush".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.