2009 Algerian military ambush
| Algerian military ambush | |
|---|---|
 Bordj Bou Arréridj Province shown within Algeria | |
| Location | Bordj Bou Arréridj, Algeria |
| Date |
Thursday, June 17, 2009 8 p.m. |
| Deaths | at least 18 |
Non-fatal injuries | currently unknown |
| Perpetrators | Islamist rebels in Algeria[1] |
| ||||||
An ambush on the Algerian paramilitary took place on June 17, 2009 at 8:00 pm (19:00 GMT),[2] 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][3][4]
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.[5]
The ambush
Islamist rebels first attacked the convoy on a highway in the province of Bourdj Bou Arréridj, 180 kilometres (110 mi) east of the capital Algiers by detonating two home-made bombs.[6] 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.[4] They stole weapons and several police vehicles.[4]
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]
References
- ↑ "Islamist rebel ambush kills at least 18 police". France 24. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "'At least 18 killed' in Algeria ambush". Yahoo. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 22 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Algeria militants 'ambush police'". BBC News. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "24 policemen killed in Algeria attack". RTÉ. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 21 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ "18 cops killed in Algerian ambush - report". iol.co.za. 2009-06-18. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "At least 24 Algerian gendarmes killed in insurgent ambush". Xinhua News Agency. 2009-06-18. Archived from the original on 2009-06-20. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ "2 Teachers, 8 police killed in Algerian ambush". boston.com. 2009-06-03. Archived from the original on 25 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-06-18.
- ↑ "14 soldiers killed in terrorist attack in Tizi Ouzou, Algeria". IANS. news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 20 April 2014.